Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

1 F. Cas. 1090

Arcularius v. Staples

U.S. District Court

Decided March 15, 1859

U.S. District Court · decided 1859-03-15

<p>Case ITo. 509b.</p> <p>Admiraltt — Jurisdiction — State Law — Half Pilotage — Default Judgment — Vacation— Laches.</p> <p>[1. Act Aug. 7, 1789. (1 Stat. 53.) enacts that “all pilots in the harbors of the United States shall continue to be regulated in accordance with the existing laws of the state;” and by a law of the state of New Tork a pilot is entitled to receive one-half legal pilot fees from the master of a vessel who refuses (o employ or receive such pilot on board. Held, that the right to half pilotage is not cognizable by the admiralty side of the district court, but is a legal right triable only on the common law side.]</p> <p>[2. An action for pilotage commenced June 7, 1S57, was by both parties put on the calendar for hearing, and was noticed by libellant from term to term until January 29, 1859, when a default was taken, and the case referred to a commissioner, who made his report February 19, 1859. On March 1, 1S59. defendant filed his answer, denying the allegations of the libel, and gave written notice of a motion to set aside all proceedings as coram non judice, and void. Held, that the irregularities and laches of defendant, unexplained by him. debarred him of the right to set aside the libellant’s proceedings by such a form of motion.]</p>

Decided 1859-03-15

BETTS, District Judge.

¶1This is a case ot admiralty and maritime jurisdiction on general principles of maritime law, as in pilot-age, service was performance. The right of action is claimed under a statutory provision of the legislature of this state. The act of congress of August 7, 1789, [1 Stat. 53, § 4,] enacts that all pilots in the bays, inlets, rivers, harbors and ports of the United States, shall continue to be regulated in conformity with the existing laws of the states, respectively wherein such pilots may be, or with such laws as the states may respectively hereafter enact for the purpose until further legislative provision shall be made by congress.

¶2If by power of this statute the state law becomes also a law of the United States in respect to the provision giving compensation to pilots who are prepared and tender their services but are refused by masters of vessels, and actually render none, it would not make the right so conferred one of which this court can take cognizance on the ad*1091miralty side. It -would become a legal right triable on the common law side of the court only. The irregularity 'and laches of the defendant unaccounted for on his part, debar him of the right to set aside libellant’s proceeding by this form of motion; but the court will feel compelled to withhold its further action in suffering the interlocutory judgment obtained by the libellant, for want of jurisdiction oyer the subject matter.

¶3Order accordingly, but without costs.

/1/fcas/1090 · .json · Public domain