The Volant, 72 U.S. 179 (1866)

U.S. Supreme Court

The Volant, 72 U.S. 5 Wall. 179 179 (1866) The Volant

72 U.S. (5 Wall.) 179

ERROR TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR

THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Syllabus

The brig Volant had been captured, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, on the 5th of November, 1863, by the United States

Page 72 U. S. 180

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.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE delivered the opinion of the Court.

The 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.

The 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.

It 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.

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

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

The 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.

REVERSAL AND DECREE ACCORDINGLY.

* See chart, supra, p. <|72 U.S. 173|>173 -- REP.