The Nereide
United States Supreme Court
13 U.S. (9 Cranch) 388 (1815)
- Written by Jamie Milne, JD
Facts
During the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, Spanish subject Manuel Pinto (plaintiff) arranged to have his goods transported from London to Buenos Aires on a British ship called the Nereide. A vessel acting on behalf of the American government captured the Nereide in transit and brought it to New York, where the ship and its cargo were condemned as a prize of war. Pinto contested, arguing on behalf of himself and other Spaniards with goods on the Nereide, that under the law of nations, the property of a neutral country and its nationals was not liable for condemnation. The ship’s captors argued that neutral property lost its neutral character when transported on an enemy ship. The district court agreed, upholding the condemnation of the Spaniards’ property. The court of appeals affirmed, and Pinto appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Marshall, C.J.)
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