A Guernsey decision abrogated: April 29, 1783
The case of a Russian ship, the Graf Nikita, from The Political Magazine and Parliamentary, Naval, Military, and Literary Journal, Volume 6, 1783; in which an independent judgment of Guernsey's Royal Court was overturned for British political expediency.
By Thomas Basset, Esq. Lieutenant Colonel and Commandant in Chief of the Island of' Guernsey, Forts and Forces, &c. &c. thereof.
WHEREAS it has been represented to his Majesty, by the Ambassador of the Empress of all the Russias, that the bailiff and royal court of Guernsey have passed sentence, in a dispute between the master and marines of a Russian vessel, called the Graff-Nickita, 'contraire à tous les usages, et aux droits des Gens,' and whereas I have received his Majesty's command to give orders to stop all further proceedings against the said vessel, I do hereby forbid all manner of persons to proceed farther against the said vessel, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.
Guernsey, the 29th day of April, 1783. By order of the Commander in Chief, JOHN WAUGH, (COPY), Acting Brigade Major.
From a correspondent, in Guernsey, we learn, that the case referred to in the foregoing proclamation, was as follows:
The Russian ship in question having arrived some time, since, after a tedious voyage, at the Port of Guernsey from the Streights, laden with merchandize, the crew, who were all natives of Russia, commenced an action for their wages against the master of the Ship. The defence set up was, that the wages claimed were not due, and that they would not become claimable till the crew had navigated the vessel to Russia. The cause was tried in the royal court, and judgment given in favour of the ship's crew. The ship was arrested in consequence, in their behalf, and would have been sold, but for the interference of the Russian Ambassador, as stated in the proclamation.
The Graf Nikita sank off Finland in 1784, so perhaps the crew never got paid after all.