The United States vs The Steamer Peterhoff and Her Cargo, In Prize..

1864. New-York, J.W. Amerman, printer, 1864. New-York, J.W. Amerman, printer, 1864. Interesting Civil War Prize Case Concerning an English Blockade Runner [Trial]. [Steamer Peterhoff]. Betts, Samuel R. [1786-1868]. Marvin, William [1808-1902]. The United States vs. The Steamer Peterhoff and Her Cargo. In Prize. Opinion of the Court, By Judge Betts. With an Appendix, Containing the Opinions of Judge Marvin, In the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Florida, In the Cases of the Dolphin and the Pearl. New York: John W. Amerman, Printer, 1864. 116 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Stab-stitched pamphlet, wrappers lacking, bound into recent calf-stamped cloth, printed paper title label to spine. Light wear to corners of text block, moderate toning to text, light soiling and some edgewear to title page. $750. * Only edition. At head of title page: District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. The Peterhoff was a English blockade runner that was boarded and seized by the U.S. Navy in the harbor of St. Thomas, then a Danish possession. Brought to Key West, she was later condemned by the New York prize court and sold to the U.S. Navy, which refitted it as a patrol ship. The international dispute over the legality of the seizure delayed her service for almost a year. After the Civil War, the Supreme Court overturned the prize court's decision and the U.S. Government was compelled to compensate the Peterhoff's owners for their loss. OCLC locates 14 copies, 11 in North America, 3 in law libraries (Columbia, Harvard, Library of Congress). Sabin, A Dictionary of Books Relating to America 61179.