The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-26
DEPARTMENT NEWS.



The President has granted pardons Jacob Sngerland
convicted presenting the Pension Office certain false and
fraudulent adavs support claims for pensions with
deaud the United States treasury and sentenced to
be confined in the penitentary for five and to William
rnnn who convicted of robbng mail and sentenced
TO suffer ten years imprisonment.
The President has recognised Ernst Carl Angerodt
saar agent Of Mecklenburg 10 reside at ST. Louis
Missouri.
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE.
The Lac of Prise Information has been received of .
decision in Great Britain which establishes for the
Of that country doctrine OF prize law, which is
of the highest Importance to all neutral nations, and espec-
ally TO the United States
On the first OF june 1884, Mecklenburg vessel the Ost-
ee on her voyage from Cronstadt Esnorc seized
By the British owar Aban, Captain Otter az price,
and sent in for adjudication.
On the hearing in admiralty before DR. Washington, it
peared upon the ships papers, and examination OF the
crew the inerrogatores, that sufficient
ground for condemnation existed and the 10th of Au-
gust 1854 nerocuory decree by which
the ship and restored to the claimants but with
out and damages.
The claimants appealed from much OF the decree
fused them costs and damages.
Judgment of the judicial committee of the Priyy Council
on the appeal delivered the 10Th March, 1885,
The lords present the hearing Of the appeal beside
the Lord President the Right Hon. Pemberon Leigh, Sir
Edward Ryan, Sir John Patteson and Sir John Dodson
The Judgment of the lords delivered by Mr.. Pember
ton Leigh, reversing the decision of DR.. Washington.
The point of the decision the preexng rule
which enabled British man-o seize neutral ships
bare suspicion and send them in for adjudication in
y hope that something may examination to
duce condemnation and thus speculate with mpuny
the Of neutral nations 1t establishes that where
the neutral ship in fault and the bellgerent seizes
taking the chance that something may appear investga
ton justify the capture he sezes at his peril and must pay
the costs and damages which he has occasoned
This decision s remarkable in its relation to the United
States respects first Lords Of Council cite largely
rely upon American authorities in support Of their
csions secondly the lords perceive and act upon the
perception that Great Britain in the present state Of the
world persist in asserting peculiar and exclusive
begerent rights without exposing herself to the certain
peril having such doctrines retorted herself by other
maritime powers. particularly the United States and
therefore they conclude that is best to stand rules of
exact justice, regardless Of past national policy,
The say ssThe law which to lay down
be confined to the British navy the rule be ap
piled to captors of all nations No country be permit
ted to establish exceptional rule in its favor ia
particular classes of its subjects On the law of
nations foreign decisions entitled to the weight
those of the country in which the tribunal sts America has
adopted almost all her principles of prize law from the dec
ions of English COURTS and whatever may have been the
former times authorities cited in English
courts which they applicable, with greater
spec than those of the distinguished uts of France and
America. Whatever is held in England 20 justify
officer of the British navy will be held by the tribunals Of
every country both this and the other side Of the Attain
tic to justify the capors of their naton
This shows the progress in Great Britain of that
revolution Of legal opinion which, in former assumed
that Great Britain make law of nations for herself
admits that that law must be derived from the prin
cpes national Justice guided by the and
the equal rights Of all the civilized nations Of Europe and
America.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
American Fishing Fessels.Hon their Crews Treated
Cases Of SicknessThe United States consul Halifax
Nova Scotia has informed the Treasury Department of
practice which has recently been adopted by the American
fishing vessels the of the British provinces which
has produced much personal Distress well nconven
Of many kinds When any of their become sick
any way disabled these vessels into the first port
they the provinces and put such Shore
leaving them the charities OF the inhabitants sometimes
giving them certificates addressed the American CONSUL
requesting him relieve them and send them home
Der of the put Shore at various ports have
reached Halifax in state of great restitution and suffering
may be important to the of fishing vessels to
derstand their legal liabilities in such cases.
No part the Of vessels licensed for the coang
trade or the fisheries lawfully discharged in foreign
country either with against their consent put Shore
they legally remain part OF the OF the vessel which
Is bound for their for the entire well as for
the supplies medical attendance &c. which may
required for such individuals of her This liability
of and their for supplies furnished shore
has fully established by decisions of the Of the
United States (See I'd Mason, 541,)
III vessels put the belonging to them
shore the with them have expired such
carry the credit Of the vessel for all necessary sup
plies.
Important CircaiaTbe following circular has just been
issued by the director of the United States mint
MINr UNITED STATES,
Philadelphia, July 20, 1885,
The the mint gives notice. in pursuance of
authorization from the Secretary Of the Treasury and in
OF the prt accumulation of silver coin at the
mint and after the first day Of August and
until further notice the purchases OF silver for coinage will
be paid for in silver coins only and not in gold.
The silver offered for purchase viii be weighed melted
assayed usual and the standard weight determined
tcreo troy TO the hundrcdth part Of the
will be paid for Gas at presently at the rate OF dollar
and half cents per standard ounce The receipt
given the first weighing must be presented by the seller
his ORDER and usually may be expected on the day
following the date receipt, the second day following
For the information Of bullion Dealers country banks &C.,
be stated that according to the above rate Of
chase Weld of various classes Of coin bullion will be
about as follows
Five franc pieces w cents each.
Mexican and South American dollars LOG. do
Old Spanish dollars los do
Revolutionary or "hammcred' dollars
GOTTEN mistaken for the true Spanish dol
Iar) l0l do
Half dollars of the United States coined be-
fore 1887 52t do
The same since 1887 to the last change of
standard in 1858 81 do
dollars are proporiionay less productive OF pre-
MUM while dimes and halfdmes coined before 1887 have
lost rather by average than the premium
up those coined since 1897 to 1883 will
premium of 81 per cent on their nominal value.
German, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian
&, crowns owns, .... 4, cent. 4 each