Case ID: us-ct-cl_3/html/0240-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Peck, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

James B. McElhose v. The United States.
    
      On the Proofs.
    
    
      A foreign neutral in Charleston buys cotton three days before the capture of the city by the United States forces. On his examination as to whether he bought of a loyal citizen or a rebel, he says, “ I cannot tell what you call rebels."
    
    I. A British, subject cannot recover the proceeds of cotton which he purchased three days before the surrender of Charleston, no matter how ignorant he may have been of the difference between loyal and rebel citizens, unless it is made to appear that the cotton would not have been proper booty to the victors.
    II. The “Abandoned or captured property act," (12 Stat. L., p. 820,) was designed to favor our own citizens who maintained their fealty; but foreigners may ' participate in its benefits.
    Messrs. Owen and Wilson for claimant.
    The Assistant SolicitoR for the defendants :
    This action is to recover the proceeds of 39 hales of cotton, 36 upland and 3 sea-island, captured at Charleston, South Carolina. It was a part of the 4,570 bales seized by Captain Sturdivant, and reported by Colonel Ransom, shipped to and sold in New York by Simeon Draper, United States cotton agent, and the same proof applies to the shipment, sale, deposit of proceeds in treasury, and rate per hale,, of this lot, as to the other Charleston cases, and which has been gone over so many times.
    J. B. McElhose, the plaintiff, is a subject of Great Britain, and is not a citizen of the United States. He came from Ireland about the breaking out of the rebellion. He remained neutral during the war, and though residing in Charleston, did not afford aid or comfort, or give encouragement to the rebellion.
    The report of Colonel Ransom, given in the return of the Secretary of War, confesses the seizure, and the description of marks and numbers given in the schedule, and the evidence of plaintiff corresponds with the return of the Secretary of War, though this evidence was taken many months before he could know what the return of the Secretary would be.
    The shipment, delivery, sale, and amount of proceeds have been fully examined and decided in other cases.
   Peck, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court:

James B. McElhose states that he is a subject of the kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and that he has never at any time participated in rebellion by bearing arms, or otherwise in any way given aid or comfort to the rebellion. He claims the proceeds of 33 bales of upland and 6 bales of sea-island cotton, which he alleges were owned by him and held in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, before and at the time that city was captured from the rebels by the forces of the United States.

His claim will be sustained to the extent of 18 bales of upland and 3 bales of sea-island cotton. The residue of his claim is not recognized.

The registration report from the War Department shows that 36 bales of upland and 3 bales of sea-island cotton, belonging to claimant, were seized and taken from him. The proceeds of this cotton- are now in the treasury. It appears, however, that 15 bales of the upland cotton were bought by claimant three days before the federal forces occupied the city. For these bales we do not authorize a judgment. On being interrogated whether the persons of whom he bought these 15 bales were blockade-runners or not, he naively replies that he cannot tell “ what you call rebels,” and seems to think his shell of neutrality will protect his cotton, no matter how or when acquired. This claimant had money, but had not any occupation, and seems to have been speculating upon the chances of war. This claimant was excessively neutral, and, judging from the extent of his knowledge from his own words in political matters, he was strangely ignorant, for he says in his testimony, “ I cannot tell what you 'call rebels. T cannot distinguish.” “I cannot say about men being rebels or not. I know nothing about American political affairs.” He does admit, however, some slight knowledge of the difference between a rebel and a patriot, because he believes that Cocking, of whom he bought some of the cotton, was at some time in the rebel army, since he saw him wear a confederate uniform. But his adventure in these 15 bales of cotton, notwithstanding his neutrality, will not avail him. The act of Congress was designed to ameliorate the rigors of war; but we do not think that Congress intended that those who had no sympathy with the Union should speculate more than others upon its clemency, and profit themselves by saving to rebels, in the purchase of their goods, what would otherwise have become spoils of the vanquished belonging to the victors. Had this cotton remained with the persons of whom this claimant purchased, it would have been captured, and its former-owners would not have presumed to ask its proceeds. We do not think that property acquired as this was, after the fall of Charleston was made certain, should be paid for.

Inasmuch as the claimant did not give aid and comfort to the rebellion, he will receive an order for the proceeds of 18 bales of upland cotton, valued at #2,361 60, and 3 bales of sea-island cotton, valued at $712 92, making the aggregate sum of #3,074 52, and we so direct.