United States vs. Stevens
“The first count in the indictment was for confining the captain, and the second for an assault on board of a vessel belonging to citizens of the United States, with a dangerous weapon. Both offences are charged to have been committed on the high seas, in the outer road off the port of St Domingo. The master gave in evidence that, whilst the vessel was lying in the port of St Domingo, and in the inner road, he was hastily passing the mate at night, and might unintentionally have touched him with his arm.