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5 U.S. 179

The Volant

Supreme Court of the United States

Decided December 15, 1866

Supreme Court of the United States · decided 1866-12-15

The brig Volant had been captured, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, on the 5th of November, 1863, by the United States steamer Granite City, and, with her cargo, was condemned, by the decree of the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The case came before this court upon the appeal of the claimants.

Decided 1866-12-15

The CHIEF JUSTICE

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2The proof shows that the brig was the property of a neutral merchant of the island of Jersey, fully documented as a British merchantman, and regularly cleared from London to Matamoras.

¶3The cargo was shipped by the charterers of the vessel for neutral owners, and consigned to neutrals at Matamoras, but had not been discharged at the time of capture.

¶4It consisted in part of bales of confederate uniform cloth, of the same mark and of corresponding numbers with like goods found on the Science; but there is no proof of unlawful destination.

¶5The brig, however, anchored in Texan waters, near the coast, and remained there until captured.*

¶6This circumstance alone did not warrant condemnation, though, in connection with the character of the cargo, it justified capture.

¶7The decree of the District Court must be reversed; and a decree of restitution, on payment of costs and charges, must be entered instead of it.

¶8Reversal and decree .accordingly.

¶9 See chart, supra, p. 173—Rep,

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