The Captain Spedden
Opinion of the Court
This schooner and her cargo were captured as lawful prize on the 12th of January, 1862, in Biloxi river, by the United States steamer New London. The vessel and her cargo, consisting of lumber, were appraised under orders of Flag Officer McKean, of the United States navy, at Ship island, in the Gulf of Mexico, by a board of naval survey, and both were taken to the use and service of the United States, at such appraisal. The papers and documents found on board the vessel, with the official appraisement of the vessel and cargo, were placed before the court on the hearing of the cause. A motion was issued against the vessel and cargo on the 5th of March,- and returned duly served on the ISth of March, 1862, and, no person making appearance in
This case also falls within the terms of the act of congress of July 13, 1864 (12 Stat. 255). The proclamation of the condition of the Rebellion in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi was issued August 16, 1861, and this vessel having proceeded from one of these states to the other, and being there found laden with enemy property, both she and her cargo would come within the provisions of that act, as well as under the general rules of the prize law, for having violated or intending to evade the blockaded ports by a further voyage by sea. See cases referred to in preceding decisions. Judgment of condemnation and forfeiture of the value of the vessel and cargo absolutely to the United States, conformably to the appraisement, is ordered accordingly.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The CAPTAIN SPEDDEN
- Status
- Published