Peleg Sprague
Judge Sprague no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Sprague decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Sprague preferred substantial justice over formal or technical objections when the court could protect the opposing party through costs or conditions.
“It is not the practice of courts of admiralty to favor formal or technical objections, to the sacrifice of substantial justice.”
Sprague treated good-faith mistake as distinct from willful concealment when instructing on bankruptcy discharge.
“If he acted in good faith, but under a mistake, his discharge ought not to be withheld.”
Procedural preferences
Sprague required a forward lookout when leaving a harbor where anchored vessels were likely to be present.
“If a proper look-out had been kept forward, which is always requisite in going out of a harbor where other vessels are generally lying at anchor, the sloop might have been easily seen and avoided.”
Sprague protected seamen's access to legal assistance when settlements threatened to leave them bearing costs or legal disadvantages.
“The seaman is under a disadvantage in dealing with the other party, especially as to costs and matters of law, and is entitled to the aid of his proctor.”
Cautions
Sprague would enforce a state-created maritime lien but would not infer one without adequately expressed legislative intent.
“it will not presume or intend that the local law' has created such a lien”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The jury thereupon returned a verdict of not guilty, and defendants were discharged.”
“This case was accordingly ordered to be heard by a jury.”
“The jury returned a verdict in favor of the bankrupt.”
“The vessel and cargo must be condemned for attempt to break blockade, coupled with the holding out of a false destination.”
“He ordered a decree to be entered, that the sugars should be restored to Burnham, or his agent, upon his refunding the $4S3.00, giving up the draft for $1.700.00 to the assignee, and paying him the freight and charges.”
“Both parties having been in fault, by the rule of admiralty law, the damages and costs are to be borne by each in equal proportions.”
“Decree for costs against the respondent.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No case-level docket record was returned for Sprague's 1841-1865 tenure. The profile therefore makes no claim about caseload mix, case duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.
A historical record
Judge Sprague no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.