The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-19
THE BLOCKADE.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.
Before Hon. Judge Belts.

rhizEs-A REBEL CAPTAIN AND REBEL FLAG.
Jrl io-Ihe Unaed States BRIG Halle Jackson, de-
6ch was acase Of attempted violation OF blockade
Of Savannah Tho vessel was owned Georgia, carried
a rebel flag, AM had very valuable cargo OF moasses
Mr. Stewart L. Wcodford Assistant United States District
Attorney appeared Tor the government and captors and
Mr. Daniel Lord and Mr. Vim. G. Russell for the and
cargo Tho dispositions taken in vo'atorio read
and the ships papers produced was also the rebel
nag found board 1t is quite large some twenty feet
by ten IN size, and excited great interest mone Tho law
yers and audience The captain, in his aISas says;l
an, a citizen Us the Confederate States"
Mr.. Woodtord opened the by concise statement
Of the facts connected It'll vessel aud cargo ard OF the
legal principles upon which he asked their condemnation
rs prizes
Mr. Lord then summed up fog the claimants demanding
the release OF the prize because warning of the block
ade was found endorsed upon her register.
Mr. WooifOrd followed In the closing argument for tho
government He asked: FIRST the condemnation of
cargo for alleged violation of the blockade at
bavannah; second the condemnation Of tho vessel for
seng engaged in the commerce of the Confederate States
third, the condemnation Of vessel and cargo as being
owned by residents Of Savannah, by persons aiding
the existing hosttes against the federal government
He rected the Presidents proclamation OF April ID, and
relying upon his arguments former cases. assumed in
the present instance that the blockade declared thereby
legally established He claimed that the master and
OF the vessel had notice knowledge OF the pro-
camaon and OF the de- acto establishment Of the block
ate thcreun,ier before they left Savan in May last In
support of this proposition the Assistant District Attorney
entered into careful analysis Of the testimony showing
that vessels had been chased and fired into By the block
adnf squadron before this vessels dcparu from San
nah He then argued that If the cargo owned
claimed in Cuba that the shippers knew charge
able with knowledge Of the blockade. He showed that
the Presidents proclamation was in Matanzas and hnd
been read 10 the captain by the United States Consul
the very night before his departure his home
voyage TO Savannah The counsel claimed that,
ton Of law residents Of Matan2ashat city being within
few days sail OF Savannahwere chargeabe with
cc knowledge OF the blockade after had
elapsed Tor the OF the blockade go from the
United States, and sustained his position by citations
from Wheaton on Captures and several English decisions.
He then proceeded TO urge that this vessel attempted TO
violate the blockade ana IN this connection examined the
ships papers ana the testimony taken before the Prize
Commissioners. He claimed that the lster expressed
his ntenon of running tho blockade, and from his
duct anu the chase preceding the capture argued
tempt 10 cvade the blockade and the United States
cruiser Next, the government Claimed that the bill OF
fading and charter party were intended IA partial
blind and that the attempt Of the vessel 10 escape
when pursued was intended for the benefit OF
the cargo, as well as the vessel, and
that the masters attempt proved theoretically and in
necton with all the other facts completely the part Of
the shipper and so cause for condemnation OF
forfeiture could be had by reason Of there being
dOrscment OF warning on the register, and claimed that
the object OF that endorsement was 10 give the vessel
tce that direct knowledge on tho part of the ter
shown and the notice therefore needless also that
the vessels conduct in endcavoring to escape from the
capturing vessel evidence of guilt and absoved the
naval officer from the duty Of making such endorsement
He then examined the question of ownership OF vessel and
cargo commenting with earnestncss the secession flag
the secession endorsements the list and the
deliberate and avowed purpose of the master to violate
the blockade and aid the commerce OF rebels.
AT the close Of Mr.. Woodford's argument Mr.. Russell
made few explanatory remarks concerning the shippers,
and decision WAS reserved by the Judge.