Case ID: f-cas_27/html/1280-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "THE COURT", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Case No. 16,366.
    UNITED STATES v. SPEEDEN.
    [1 Cranch, C. C. 535.] 
    
    Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
    June Term, 1809.
    Gaming.
    The game called “Equality,” is a “device” prohibited by Act Md. 1797, c. 110. The words “or other device,” are not so loose and vague as to be rejected.
    Indictment [against Robert Speeden] for keeping a gambling-device called “Equality,” under the Maryland law" of 1797, c. 110.
    Mr. Law, for defendant,
    prayed the court to instruct the jury, that the defendant was not liable for the penalty under the act The words “or other device,” being too loose and vague, are to be rejected.
   But

THE COURT

refused; it not being a capital case, and the intention of the law being very clear and plain.