Date: 10 Adar Rishon 5570
From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer
To: Unknown recipient
In a formal court ruling arising from the Napoleonic Wars, the Chasam Sofer dismisses all of Reuven's claims against Levi, holding that Levi acted properly in surrendering pledged merchandise to military authorities under duress. Levi's written debt of 500 gold coins is upheld in full; for the oral claim, since Levi admitted lending at 15 percent, the arrangement is presumed to have been a heter iska, making half a deposit borne by Levi and the remainder owed by Reuven. Reuven, having conducted the illegal trade publicly when secrecy was available, cannot shift losses to his partners and may owe compensation for damage caused by his negligence.
Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer CM §156