Commonwealth

A commonwealth is properly a free state or republic, having a popular or representative government. The term has been applied to the government of Great Britain. It is not applicable to absolute governments. The states composing the United States are, properly, so many commonwealths.

It is a settled principle that no sovereign power is amenable to answer suits, either in its own courts or in those of a foreign country, unless by its own consent.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.