Trial of the Officers and Crew of the Privateer Savannah, on the Charge of Piracy, in the United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New YorkWarburton, A. F. (Adolphus Frederick)
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Trial of the Officers and Crew of the Privateer Savannah, on the Charge of Piracy, in the United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York
Warburton, A. F. (Adolphus Frederick)
Piracy -- United States; Privateering -- United States; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
_Mr. Evarts_: My learned friends say that on this point they have not
said anything as to the jointness or complicity of the parties in this
crime. Now I think your honor would understand that a concurrence in
resistance, by force, of an armed vessel of the United States, bearing
the flag of the United States, and undertaking to exercise authority
over it, would show their design.
_The Court_: Have you any question as to the facts?
_Mr. Evarts_: The Government have all the facts. Stripped of all the
circumstances that attended the actual transaction, it would appear as
if, when the brig Perry came along, these people at once surrendered,
gave up, and submitted quietly and peacefully. As against that, we
submit the Government should protect itself by proving the actual
transaction.
_Mr. Brady_: One thing is certain, that if these men committed any
offence whatever, it was committed before they saw the Perry; it was an
act consummated and perfect, whatever may have been its legal
character, and whatever may have been the consequences which the law
would attach to it. The proof of the capture of the Savannah by the
Perry is in no way relevant, except in proving jurisdiction, for which
purpose alone is it of any importance that it should be mentioned here.
And whether the capture was effected after a chase, or without one,
against resistance, or by the consent of the persons to that from which
they could not escape, is of no possible consequence in any aspect of
the case. Whether there was firing or armed resistance can make no
difference. It cannot bear on the question whether all the defendants
are responsible for the acts of each other, like conspirators. It may
be, as the counsel for the prosecution holds, that when you show they
did set out on a common venture each became the agent of the other.
That may be, and they must take the responsibility of trying the case
on such a theory of the law as they think proper. We would not feel any
hesitation in saying they all acted with a common design, only that
there are some of the prisoners that we have had no communication with,
and it may be that some of them went on board without knowing what the
true character of the enterprise was. It is sufficient now to object
that the question, whether there was resistance or not, after the Perry
came up, is of no consequence in deciding the question of whether the
men are responsible.
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