United States v. The Ambrose Light
District Court, S.D. New York
The libel in. this case was filed to procure the condemnation of the brigantine Ambrose Light, which was brought into this port as prize on June 3, 1885, by Lieut. Wright and a prize crew, detached from the United States gun-boat Alliance, under Commander Clarke, by whose orders the brigantine had been seized on the twenty-fourth of April. The seizure was made in the Caribbean sea, about 20 miles to the westward of Cartagena.
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The libel in. this case was filed to procure the condemnation of the brigantine Ambrose Light, which was brought into this port as prize on June 3, 1885, by Lieut. Wright and a prize crew, detached from the United States gun-boat Alliance, under Commander Clarke, by whose orders the brigantine had been seized on the twenty-fourth of April. The seizure was made in the Caribbean sea, about 20 miles to the westward of Cartagena. The commander was looking for the insurgent Preston, by whose orders Colon had shortly before been fired, to the great loss and injury of our citizens. Observing the…
1Opinion of the CourtBrown, J.
The legality of the original seizure of the Ambrose Light depends upon the answer to be given to the inquiry whether the cruise of the vessel under the commission of the insurgent leaders, to assist in the so-called blockade of Cartagena, must be regarded, under the circumstances of this case, as lawful warfare or as piratical. She was owned by one of the insurgents that signed her commission. None of her officers or crew were residents of this country. The question must therefore be adjudged according to the law of nations.
Neither the causes, nor the objects, nor the merits of the revolt are…
2Cases cited36 opinions
- Reynolds v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1879
- The PalmyraSupreme Court of the United States · 1827
- United States v. PalmerSupreme Court of the United States · 1818
- The Brig Amy WarwickSupreme Court of the United States · 1862
- United States v. SmithSupreme Court of the United States · 1820
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3Cited by12 opinions
- Ex Parte QuirinSupreme Court of the United States · 1942
- Lehigh Valley R. Co. v. State of RussiaCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1927
- United States v. DireCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 2012
- Hunter v. StateTennessee Supreme Court · 1928
- United States ex rel. Quirin v. CoxSupreme Court of the United States · 1942
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