The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-05
MORE PRIZE CASES.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.
pcfnro Hon Indra Roftg

The United States the scht oner Hannah NJ Johnson
This prize vessel captured Cape Lookout on
3ist July last by the United States squadron and
transmitted to this district FOR condemnation she
seized with the Confederate ag and charged with Civ.
ing and comfort to the enemy and also with violating
the blockade Of New Orleans tho latter charge
ever abandoned by the government. The claimants OF
the cargo conended that tho property belonged TO
trails that 1t trcn M and that advances had been
made the cargo that the vessel cleared from New Or
leans and compelled by thoaathorteS there to
a secession flag.
Judge Belts concludes elaborate opinion by saying
The acceptance Of cearace under the authority Of tho
Confederate States act or personal misieasa2ce
against the revenue laws of tho United States and
punishable under these laws being tantamount to
coming into port without lawful one but il is iudicaiy
known to the Court that these were consdera
bic period and until open hoses on foot by the
nsurgent States tolerated as necessities imposed npon
loyal vessels being absent from their ports Of destna
ton until the rebellion progressed to acts Of open hos
tles the part OF the rebels and Insurgents and
regarded by the Court in prize suit committed pre-
vous to the recognition by the government of exist
Ing state of civil war between the nsugent portion OF
the country and the government. In opinion there
fore, it Is not proved the part Of the libellants
that the claimants Of the vessel had actual
constructive notice. at the time the cargo In question
was laden board Of her, that state Of be-
tween the insurgents and the government existed
and recognized by the government Of the
United States and that accordingly the vessel, her
tackle &c. liable TO seizure and condemnation for
the acts alleged against her. Tho cargo was shipped and
laden board vessel New Orleans by residents
tina, place. after tho public secession rebellion OF the
State OF louisiana and after the open avowa Of with
the United States made by the Confederate States and
all persons dom ciled at that place legally chargeabe
with the Of the government under which they claim
allegiance. The property shipped enemy's pro-
pcrty and Liable TO conscation to the United States
such The Judgment Of the Court accordingly is that the
vessel her tackle &C., be restored to the claimants
payment Of COSTS there being reasonable for her
seizure as she sailed from enemys port under an
enemys clearance, and without exhibiting when arrested
full munitnents Of title @ loyal vessel And it Is fur.
thor that of condemnation and forfeiture
be rendered against the seized with the vessel
being enemys property at the time was laden board,
with leave however being given TO the respective
claimants thereof to produce further proofs that the
when shipped belonged to neutral or Loyal owners.
The United States u.s. r. bark Winnf ed-The bark was
seized on the 25h Of May, 1861, by the United States
ter W. Mathews the high oil Cape Henry, and
hced for attempting to violate the blockade OF Hampton
Roads, in Virginia. In consonance with the rules adopted
By the Court in the suits before referred to- 1t is held
that the vessel her tackle and furniture the enemy
property the citizens Of South Carolina being the time
In state OF civil against the United States and it
accordingly audged that the bark General Green her
lants as prize Of war, with costs TO be taxed and
assessed and that the cargo laden board the bark be
restored TO the claimants but without damages
the Claimants there being probable for the cap.
ture IL being laden enemy's bottom and exported
after the existence Of state of war by South Carolina
against the United States.
BIAxKrIs FoR TIE ARMY-The United States Express
Company will transport over their express lines free Of
all charge blankets donated TO the government marked
to any Quar:ermaster Of the United States Army.