Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

CHARLESTON, May 8.

We have been favored with a copy of the following excellent and just decree, given by the judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Nassau, in the case of a schooner belonging to this port, taken and sent in there a few weeks ago, having 40,000 dollars and a valuable cargo on board, by the British frigate Phaetis, Captain Cochran.

Upon the whole I am of opinion that the said schooner Hector is American property. That the claimant Robert Read, removed from his own country in a time of perfect peace and became a citizen of the United States before the ratification of the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation between Great-Britain and the said United States and that by the said treaty, he is to all intents and purposes to be considered as a citizen of the said United States: That Thomas Fraser, part owner of the goods on board the said schooner Hector is in the same situation.—That the citizens of America have a right as neutrals to trade to and from the ports of the Spanish dominions, and also to and from the British ports—That it is a known fact, that the commanders of the British fleets and armies at St. Domingo, and the customhouse officers there, have granted licences to Spanish Subjects to bring provisions and other refreshments for the use of his Majesty's troops and fleets— That no fraud or collusion in the present case has appeared, but the business has been carried on openly avowedly, and in consequence of the before mentioned licence. I do therefore hereby dismiss the said libel as wholly unsupported by any proof and do adjudge, sentence and decree, that the said schooner Hector, with the tackle, apparel and furniture and the goods, wares and merchandizes, money and bullion laden on board the same, and libelled as aforesaid, be restored to the claimant Robert Read as American, neutral property, and that the captors pay the costs of the suit.