Daily National Intelligencer

NEW YORK, APRIL 19.

An important decision was made on Saturday in the Supreme Court, now sitting in this city, in the case of captain Percival, of Boston, and captain Hickey, late commander of the British sloop of war Atalanta.

During the existence of the non-intercourse law with Great Britain, in May, 1810, the schr. Mary was fallen in with on her return voyage, by the above sloop of war, then in company with the frigate Cleopatra, and, after an obstinate chase from early in the afternoon until between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening, the sloop of war came sufficiently near to bring the Mary to; and after her sails were down, except her jib and foresail, with a light hoisted, she was run a midships by the sloop of war, and sunk in a very short time after; the captain and crew saved themselves on board the sloop of war. She had on board a valuable cargo, and considerable specie, owned by captain Percival, who had not time even to save his papers or wearing apparel. During our late war with Great Britain, capt. Hickey was transferred to a command on the Lakes, and at the conclusion of peace, on his passing through New York, on his return to England, was arrested at the suit of capt. Percival.

The trial commenced on Thursday morning, and, after a patient investigation, by an intelligent jury, for three days, a verdict was rendered in favor of captain Percival for $29,734 dollars, 94 cents, and costs.—[Gazette.