Case Name: UNITED STATES v. SPEEDEN
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1809-06
Citations: 27 F. Cas. 1280
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. SPEEDEN.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 27
Pages: 1280–1280

Head Matter:
Case No. 16,366.
UNITED STATES v. SPEEDEN.
[1 Cranch, C. C. 535.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
June Term, 1809.
Gaming.
The game called “Equality,” is a “device” prohibited by Act Md. 1797, c. 110. The words “or other device,” are not so loose and vague as to be rejected.
Indictment [against Robert Speeden] for keeping a gambling-device called “Equality,” under the Maryland law" of 1797, c. 110.
Mr. Law, for defendant,
prayed the court to instruct the jury, that the defendant was not liable for the penalty under the act The words “or other device,” being too loose and vague, are to be rejected.

Opinion:
But
THE COURT
refused; it not being a capital case, and the intention of the law being very clear and plain.