Case ID: us-ct-cl_13/html/0571-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Tbe Ci-iiee Justice", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

COLLIE’S CASE.
    (12 C. Cls. R., 648;
    97 U. S. R. —.)
    John Young, assignee of Alexander Collie, appellant, v. The United States, appellees.
    
      On the elai'manfs Appeal.
    
    
      A non-resident alien (luring the rebellion runs the blockade, carrying merchandise and munitions of war into Southern-ports, buying andbringing out cotton. He also sends presents of cannon and ammunition to the Confederate authorities, and a gift of $30,000 to aid those made needy and suffering through the war. Aportionofthe cotton purchased by his agents with funds derived from blockade-running remains in Savannah and is captured. He brings Ms suit for the proceeds, and contends that the traffic was lawful for a neutral, and that if it constituted an offense against the United States, it was obliterated by the General Amnesty Proclamation, December 25,'1868.
    Tlie court below liolds that tlie claimant cannot recover under the Abandoned or captured property Act (12 Stat. L., 820). Judgment for the defendants. The claimant appeals.
    The judgment ofthe court below is affirmed. The Supreme Court now holds: (1) That though a non-resident alien trading- with the Confederate Government and- giving cannon and munitions of war was not guilty of treason, yet, nevertheless, his acts were aid and comfort to the rebellion within the meaning of the Abandoned or captured property Act (12 Stat. L., 820); (2) That the pardon of the President does not extend to a non-resident alien, nor remove the offense of aiding the rebellion.
   Tbe Ci-iiee Justice

delivered tlie opinion of tlie Supreme Court, May 13, 1878.