¶1By a long course of judicial decisions, it must be regarded as definitely settled that there must be in all cases under the revenue and navigation laws a subsisting seizure at the time the libel or information is brought. See Conk. 252-255. and cases cited, and many others. See Conk. Prac. (4th Ed.) 231. These decisions are pursuant to section 9 of the act to establish the judicial courts of the United States, approved September 24, 1789 (1 Stat. 73, 76), investing the district courts with exclusive original cognizance of all civil causes of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, including all seizures under laws of impost, navigation, or trade of the United States, where seizures are made on waters navigable from the sea by vessels of ten or more tons burthen, within their respective districts as well as upon the high seas. By the section under which this libel is brought it will be observed that the owner of the vessel shall forfeit and pay the penalty, and for the recovery thereof the vessel shall be liable and may be seized and proceeded against by way of libel. The remedy here prescribed for a breach of the law is by seizure and libel.
¶2This libel of information cannot be further prosecuted unless it be amended by alleging a seizure by the proper officer, and which must be proven as alleged.