RS 866 - Proceedings when discharge refused
The justice of the peace of the port where a vessel has arrived, on the verbal complaint of any person that he is entitled to receive his discharge, and that the same is denied by the master of the vessel to which he belonged, shall issue a citation, directed to the master, commanding him to appear before him, to show cause why such certificate should not be granted; the justice shall examine, in a summary way, into the circumstances of the case, and if he finds that the seaman is entitled to his discharge, he shall give judgment to that effect; and if the discharge has been previously demanded and refused, he shall add to the judgment an order that the defendant pay to the complainant ten dollars for his damages, and pay the costs of the proceedings; a copy of so much of the judgment as orders the discharge, shall be given to the complainant, which shall have all the effects of a legal discharge.