New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-29
The Attorney General agt Slim and oh

The Attorney General agt. Slim and others
This was the first day of Hilary Term, and
the announcement that the judges would give Their de-
con in the great Alexandra case attracted very many
The Attorney and Solicitor General. Mr.. Locke Q.
c. the Queens Advocate. and Mr.. T. Jones, appeared
on behalf OF tie Crown; Mr. Melish. O. c.. Mr.. KaTs
lake Q. c.. and Mr.. kempay for the defendants.
The LORD Chief Baron said this was an information
against the Alexandra vessel purporting TO have been
forfeited in respect OF having been fitted out III violation
of the 9TH section OF the Foreign Enlistment Act The
Information charged tie defendants with having
equipped furnished and fitted out ship Of warbke
character: but omitted to charge any intention o.
armug. .
end the Jury returned verdict for the defendants ID
was then urged that the intended ~ De used Tor
warlike purposes by the Confederate Government Of
America against the United States Power with
which her Majesty was friendly terms. and that this
was violation Of the Foreign Enlistment act His Ci-
recton 70 the Jury that the defendants were with.
In tho meaning Of the act II they equipped and lifted oas
ship as q shipofwar. With intent 10 conduct hoeii.
ties but that II the commerce OF this country In ships
either Of peace 70 contnue-if the ships eo
this country in condition 10 cruise or IA commit hos
tites though the hull might be In some respects OF
warke Characterization there had been no Violation %
the act.
stripped of its techncses was in substance, wheihel
there had been any such violation In this case. and
whether the verdict Of the Jury therefore wrong
rule was taken against his direction and the arguments
lasted six days There were W counts In the inorma-
times in different FORMS the other two had reference TO
the employment II ships as transports as well as vessels
of war The Attorney General had admitted that the
first eight represented all the rest The charges thus
themselves into the question OF what meant
by the words, furnishing. coupling. 60, vessel with
intent TO cruise and commit hostlities against Power
With whom her Majesty not at war. these words
were used In the Foreign Enlistment Act especially the
18th section. IL highly penal statute, creating
new crime Of misde meanor, and making parties guilty
of that crime liable to fine and Imprisonment and me
ship to forfeiture and those assisting 30 similar punish
ments. ..,.
His Lordship then entered into very elaborate hs'
tory OF the statute, and the adopted by tho
lean Government concerning it. and said ina. no
ion Of foreign court could be An authority 70, pa
any strained construction upon an Englsn 40 ,rims
lament; no property could DO forfeea 49, dnr;nS
had been committed; and he was ~Sc ~ vs.
tho whole Augment no one had spgs.s tha $1,000
that had committed the crime, or VEG horI ksnoms
forfeited 10 the Crown Nothing taas ennsn. ssats
an he said nv learned jurists written ana hotnn6
,LaI srSn avrs have decided should influence the
1917" ~ .his Courf In interpreting an Enghsh statute
s y, Art time constituted that new tndict-
when iof .ne ~. s;.S was formerly no o1enso Of AL
ape ohony go no Court OF Criminal Equity IN ths
Ihere naa Uo' che star Chamber was abolished: We
s,rd 10 lose any OF our ssfeguardk though
eoua NO. Of this country were never no believed
tne rs than now; but We must not % Ax 10 %
ciSine q question OF tnis kna. ~, ,.,,
c'as coart had nothing 10 do with the political con.
See Eighth Page.