Page:United States Reports, Volume 2.djvu/7



HESE were Appeals from the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania, where the Ship had been acquitted and the Cargo condemned.

After argument by Wilcox, Lewis and Sergeant, for the Appellants, and Morris and Wilson for the Appellees, the opinion and judgment of the Court (comprising a statement of all the facts and documents material to the case) were delivered by, the presiding Commissioner, in the following terms:


 * —We have considered these Appeals, and are now ready to give our judgment.

It has been very truly observed, that this Appeal is a case of importance, not only with regard to the subject in contest, but also with regard to the great Questions of Law, which the investigation and discussion of the merits necessarily introduced; and being before this Court for their determination, the judgment and Decree of this Court must be directed by the Resolves and Ordinances of Congress, and, where they art silent, by the Laws, Usage and Practice of Nations.

Upon these grounds, the case has been considered and argued by the counsel on both sides; and considered so thoroughly and argued so copiously, fully and ably, that we have now every possible light of which the subject admits. Rh