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| The SANTA MARIA.
20 U.S. 490 (1822) 7 Wheat. 490
PROCEDURAL POSTURE: Libellant Spanish Consul filed a libel on behalf of Spanish owners of certain goods allegedly captured on the high seas and taken out of a Spanish ship by a privateer. Claimant insisted that he had title to the property as a bona fide purchaser under an condemnation and sale in a prize tribunal. The district court dismissed the libel, but the Circuit Court of Maryland (United States) reversed. The cause was brought by appeal to the Court.
OVERVIEW: The libel alleged that the goods were captured by a privateer who was illegally armed and equipped in the United States. The evidence established that the privateer was owned by citizens of the United States and that she was armed, equipped, and fitted out in violation of the laws and treaties of the United States. The district court dismissed the libel, however, finding in favor of claimant. The circuit court reversed. In affirming the circuit court, the Court found that there was no reason to disturb the sentence of the circuit court because there were no witnesses examined who threw any doubt on the circuit court's finding that the goods were part of the cargo of the Spanish ship and that it was captured by the privateer.
Latin American wars of independence
Privateer captured Spanish ship
Counsel: Winder for privateer; Hoffman for Spanish consul
Opinion; Livingston
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