Case Name: THE UNITED STATES v. HORSES
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1861-10-28
Citations: 1 E.D. Pa. 531
Docket Number: 
Parties: THE UNITED STATES v. HORSES.
Judges: 
Reporter: Cadwalader's cases, being decisions of the Hon. John Cadwalader
Volume: 1
Pages: 531–531

Head Matter:
District Court.
October 28, 1861.
ADMIRALTY.
THE UNITED STATES v. HORSES.
When the seizure is on land the burden of proof of hostile ownership and of destination to a hostile district, is on the United States.
PRIZE.

Opinion:
CADWALADER, J.
I am of opinion that in this case the seizure having been on land the burden of proof is on the United-States, and that the proof is insufficient on their part upon each of the two points of alleged hostile ownership and of the alleged destination to a hostile State or district, and consequently that the prosecution cannot be maintained upon the statute on which it is founded. The claimants praying by their counsel in open court a simple 'decree of restitution without any order on the subject of costs or charges. It is ordered that the property seized be liberated from custody and restored to the claimant.