Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27
THE STEAMER pAMPERe CONDEMNED,


PROM THE JAcKsosymLE REPUBLICAN OF DEcrNBrR 49,
This case has at last been fully investigated and
decided On Monday, the LIST instant, the United
States Court convened at St. Augustine; MCQUEEN
McINTosH, ESQ appeared on behalf of the claim
ant, Mr.. Sigur; G.. w. CALL, Esq, United States
Attorney. ta
At the opening of the proceedings Mr. CALL offered in
evidence the deposition of Alexander Patterson custom
house officer of Key West mainly in answer to the ques
ton propounded by the United States viz Did the said
steamer Pampero enter the port Of Key West at any time
in August last? If So how often, ut what times, and
what official account did she give of herseff Did she
either occasion exhibit any papers, If any, what
papers and when ?" The Of very condemns
tory character.
No further testimony being offered Mr. Call rose and
read the libel also letter written by Lopez, showing
plainly that the vessel had violated the section upon which
the libel was founded Mr. Cali then opened the argu
ment by reading the section, as follows: E
II any person SHALL within the limits of the United
States 1T and arm attempt to fit out and arm, or
shall knowingly be concerned in fitting out furnishing
armng any ship vessel with intent that such ship or
vessel shall be employed in the service of any foreign
Prince State, any colony district, people, to
cruise commit hostes against the subjects citizens,
property of any foreign Prince State, Of any co..
lony district people with whom the United States are
peace" &c., such person shall be punished by fine
not exceeding $40 COO and imprisonment exceeding
three years. and every such ship or vessel shall be for
feited."
He reviewed the testimony in the case and claimed the
forfeiture of the vessel.
The most prominent feature Of Mr. McIETosH's argu-
ment his contendng that the word "peope sgnif-
ed nation !" that the inhabitants Of Cuba could not be
called people, and therefore the section which the oppo
site counsel had read could not apply to Of this
nature Secondly The evidently contemplated armed
vessel all the reported in the books proves to
be This vessel transport; she could not
commit hostiiiAivr, fer she not armed.
On Wednesday, the Sd instant, Mr. CALL finished the
closing argument showing that the word people" was
general word used in the United States synonymous
with persons Again. the vessel to cruise commit
hostilites, not to cruise and commit hostes-these
pressions constituted distinct offences. IA
The second libel introduced was for carrying false
registry On Thursday, December IL the Court proceed
steamer Pampero and after able review of the argu
ment both sides, condemned the vessel under both
charges, concluding with these words:
separate decree ordered will be made for the sale
of the vessel and nasmuch another decree Of forfeit
is this day pronounced and entered against her in
other suit under another libel for violation Of the
registry act therefore but order Of sale will be made
to be entitled in both The sale to be made by
under the Marshal of this Court Mt public auction to the
highest bidder at the town of Jacksonville where the
steamer now lies, and day previous the 22d
January next to be designated by the Marshall Of which
time and place of sale the Marshal shall give at least
twenty-five days notice in Of the public
newspapers printed in Florida and at least twenty days
notice in newspapers printed in Savannah Georgia
And the proceeds of the sale be brought into Court
the Marshal to await the further order Of the Court in the
premises"