CLAIMS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY, WITH THE JUDGMENTS AND AWARDS THEREON.

1. N. L. ROGERS AND BROTHERS.

Presented October 21, 1853-Heard November 28-Further affidavits filed February 23, 1854-Further heard February 27, and submitted-Disagreement of commissioners on the amount of damage-Award of umpire.

For the return of customs duties assessed in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, during the years 1840 and 1841.

November 4.-The commissioners disagreed as to the amount of damage to be awarded, and the case was referred to the umpire, and was submitted by the agents for his decision on the papers.

December 7.-The umpire awarded the sum of seven thousand six hundred and seventy-six dollars and ninety-six cents, due on the 15th of January, 1855.

2. SCHOONER FIDELITY, Thomas Tyson, owner.

Presented January 24, 1854-Heard March 23, and submitted-Disallowed.

For seizure of the above vessel at Sierra Leone on a charge of smuggling.

October 11.-The vessel was discharged after a brief detention, and, it appearing to the commissioners that there existed probable cause of seizure, the claim was disallowed.

3. BARQUE JONES, P. J. Farnham & Co., owners.

Presented October 31, 1853-Further papers presented November 28-Heard March 17 and 18, 1854 Further affidavits filed April 11 and May 15-Disagreement of commissionersHeard before umpire-Award of umpire.

For seizure at St. Helena, on charge of being concerned in the African slave trade, and for assessment of costs on the vessel at Sierra Leone, and sale of vessel and cargo.

Ex Doc. 103-4

April 22.-The commissioners being unable to agree, severally delivered their opinions, which were placed on file, and the case was committed to the decision of the umpire.

November 29.-The umpire awarded to the owners of the Jones. the sum of ninety-six thousand seven hundred and twenty dollars, and to sundry persons, for ventures of goods therein, as follows, viz: to James Gilbert, the master, one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree dollars; to Ebenezer Symonds, the mate, eight hundred and forty-two dollars; to F. Sexton, the supercargo, one thousand two hundred dollars, amounting in all to the sum of one hundred thousand six hundred and twenty-five dollars.

4. BRIG CYRUS, Peter C. Dumas, owner.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard August 2, and submitted-Disallowed.

For seizure and detention of this vessel by the brig-of-war Alert, on charge of being concerned in the slave trade.

November 25.-Claim disallowed.

5. SCHOONER JOHN, Reuben Shapely, owner.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard May 10, and submitted-Disagreement of the commissioners-Award of umpire.

For capture of the above vessel by the British ship-of-war Talbot, March 5, 1815, after the close of the war, when peace existed by the terms of the treaty in the latitude where she was seized.

November 4.-The commissioners disagreed on the amount of damage, and it was referred to the umpire.

November 29.-The umpire awarded the sum of thirteen thousand six hundred and eight dollars and twenty-two cents, in full of said. claim, due January 15, 1855.

6. SCHOONER LEVIN LANK, James Sullivan, owner.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard August 16, and submitted-Disallowed.

This vessel was sold by her master and lessee to foreign owners on the coast of Africa. She was afterwards seized and condemned at St. Helena for being concerned in the slave trade. Claim was made here for her by her original owner.

November 25.- Disallowed.

7. BRIGANTINE VOLUSIA, John W. Disney and John Graham, owners. Presented March 14, 1854-Heard July 5, and submitted-Further papers filed, by leave, July 8-Disagreement of the commissioners-Heard before umpire November 27Disallowed by the umpire.

For seizure of the above in 1850, by the British steamer Rattler, while on a voyage from Rio Janeiro, on the charge of being concerned in the slave trade, and for her condemnation as having false papers. November 25.-The commissioners disagreed on the allowance of the claim, and it was referred to the umpire.

December 1.-Claim disallowed by the umpire.

8. THE ONLY SON, Fuller and Delano, owners.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard before the commissioners and umpire November 13, and submitted-Disagreement of the commissioners-Award of umpire.

For compelling the above vessel to be entered at Halifax, and to pay duties in 1822, when she had put in there on her way to a market merely, whereby she was compelled to dispose of her cargo there at a loss.

November 13.-The commissioners disagreed on the allowance of the claim, and it was referred to the umpire.

December 14.-The umpire awarded the sum of one thousand dollars in full of said claim, due the 15th of January, 1855.

9. SHIP AMELIA, Robert Roberts, owner.

Presented June 1, 1854-Heard June 3, and submitted-Disallowed.

For capture of the above by a British cruiser, while on her way from Porto Rico to Guadaloupe, on the 11th of February, 1815, and for her subsequent condemnation.

October 11.--It appearing that the date of the capture of the above vessel was prior to the ratification of the treaty of peace of December, 1814, the claim was disallowed.

10. JOHN MCCLURE AND OTHERS.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard on question of jurisdiction August 17, and submittedDisallowed.

Claim for slaves alleged to be owned by citizens of the United States in Florida, while that Territory belonged to Spain, and which escaped from Florida to Cumberland Island, and were taken away by the British authorities at the close of the war of 1815.

September 26.-Disallowed on the ground of want of jurisdiction, also of an adjustment under a prior convention for all slaves removed, holden under American laws.

11. JAMES YOUNG.

Presented, by leave, June 3, 1854-Heard and submitted-Disallowed.

Claim for slaves captured on the high seas during the war of 1812, taken to the West Indies, and there disposed of by the British authorities.

October 11.-Claim disallowed.

12. BRIG CREOLE, Edward Lockett and others, owners of slaves on board. Presented March 14, 1854-Further papers filed May 23-Heard June 3, and submittedFurther claims to property on board presented, by leave, June 10 and 14, 1854-Disagreement of the commissioners-Heard before umpire October 19 and 21-Award of umpire.

Claim for liberating slaves on board said vessel at the Bahamas islands, which had been compelled to put in there by the slaves, who had mutinied and obtained control of the vessel by killing one of the passengers, and severely wounding the captain, chief mate, and a portion of the crew.

September 26.-The commissioners disagreed on the allowance of the claim, and it was referred to the umpire.

January 9.-The umpire awarded to the several claimants in this case, hereafter mentioned, the sums set against their respective names, amounting in all to one hundred and ten thousand three hundred and thirty dollars, in full, to the 15th of January, 1855, viz:

13, BARQUE JOHN A. ROBB.

Presented March 14, 1854-Heard July 15, and submitted-Disallowed.

For the removal of a sailor from this vessel by a British cruiser on the coast of Africa.

October 11.-The right to enter the vessel for such purpose was disavowed; and it appearing, on the evidence submitted, that the sailor, who had some controversy with his captain, left the vessel ultimately with the master's consent, the claim was disallowed.

14. MARIA DOLORES, William Taggart and others, owners. Presented March 14, 1854-Heard August 9 and September 25, and submitted-Disallowed, as not being within the jurisdiction of the commissioners.

For proceeds of said vessel and cargo, captured by a Bolivian privateer, and brought into Barbadoes, where the vessel and cargo were sold by the British colonial authorities, the present claimant being a citizen of the United States.

Held not to be within the jurisdiction of the commissioners.

15. BRIG DOUGLAS, Amos Frazar, owner.

Presented April 22, 1854-Further papers filed May 13-Heard July 21, and submittedAward.

For seizure and detention of the above vessel on charge of being engaged in the slave trade.

November 25.-The commissioners awarded the sum of six hundred dollars in full of said claim, due January 15, 1855.

16. SCHOONER CAROLINE KNIGHT, George W. Knight and others, owners.

Presented February 2, 1854-Heard July 12, and submitted-Award.

For capture of the above vessel and proceedings in the sale of the same at Prince Edward's Island, in 1852.

October 10.-The commissioners awarded the sum of one tho usand eight hundred and eighty-seven dollars and sixty cents, in full of said claim, due the 15th of January, 1855.

17. THE VESSELS TIGRIS AND SEAMEW, Messrs. Brookhouse & Hunt, owners. Presented March 14, 1854-Submitted on the papers-Disagreement of commissioners as to amount of damages-Award of umpire.

Damage for seizure of the above vessels, in 1840, by the British cruiser Water Witch, on the coast of Africa, and sending them to America for trial for violation of laws of the United States.