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BRIG STRUGGLE, 13 U. S. 71 (1815)

13 U. S. 71

U.S. Supreme Court

Brig Struggle, 13 U.S. 9 Cranch 71 71 (1815)

Brig Struggle

13 U.S. (9 Cranch) 71

Syllabus

A party who offers an excuse for violating a penal statute must make out the vis major under which he shelters himself so as to leave no reasonable doubt of his innocence.

Circumstances will sometimes outweigh positive testimony.

Appeal from the sentence of the Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts which condemned the brig Struggle for violation of the Nonintercourse Act of 28 June, 1809, vol. 10, p. 13, by going, with a cargo, to a prohibited port.