The Sir William Peel

72 U.S. 517 (____)

5 Wall. 517

THE SIR WILLIAM PEEL.

Supreme Court of United States.

Messrs. Evarts and Marvin, with whom was Mr. A.F. Smith, for the claimants.

Mr. Ashton, Assistant Attorney-General for the United States, and Mr. Eames, for the captors, contra.

The CHIEF JUSTICE delivered the opinion of the court.

Regularly in cases of prize no evidence is admissible on the first hearing, except that which comes from the ship, either in the papers or the testimony of persons found on board.

If upon this evidence the case is not sufficiently clear to warrant condemnation or restitution, opportunity…