Page:Handbook of maritime rights.djvu/81

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THE PRUSSIAN REMONSTRANCE.
67

principle of the locality of prize courts had never been called in question.

2nd. As to the uprightness of the decisions of the English prize courts, they had always enjoyed the very highest reputation. The Duke of Newcastle points out (1) that the judges, especially the Commissioners of Appeal, were men of the highest legal reputation; (2) that they are bound to decide on the principles of the universal law of nations and particular treaties; (3) that in England the Crown never interferes with the judges, and never issues nor can issue orders to them; and (4) that they are independent of the Executive, and call only be removed by an address from both Houses of Parliament.

Apropos of the high character of the judges of the English High Admiralty Courts it is not out of place perhaps to quote here Lord Stowell's words pronounced in the case of the famous Swedish convoy, many years after this. "I trust it has not