Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

12 S.C.L. 338

M'Eachern v. Cochran

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided May 15, 1821

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1821-05-15

TlilS was an action of assumpsit for wages earned as mariner and master on board of the coasting sloop’ Sally, belonging to the defendant. In support of the charges for his services as mariner, the plaintiff offered a decree of the court of admiralty in the case of Archibald Mf Pharl vs. Angus MyEachern, master of the sloop Sally. By the proceedings in that case it appeared, on the application of the . said Archibald, a common sailor,- a summons was issued against the sloop.

Decided 1821-05-15

Mr. Justice Hager

¶1delivered the opinion of the court

¶2The general rule is well established; “ a transaction be» tween two parties in a judicial proceeding is not binding upon a third and the reason of the rule is very satisfactory. He who is not a party has it not in. his power to make a defence, or to examine witnesses, or to appeal from a judgment which may be erroneous. The proceedings of the admiralty are in rein. The owner of the sloop was not constructively or absolutely present. He was not abr sent by default. He was in no respecta party to the suit. The plaintiff ip this action was on the contrary both actor pnd respondent. The decree ought not to have been admitted m evidence. The motion for a new trial is therefore granted, unless the plaintiff shall remit so much of Ibis verdict as was recovered for wages as a seaman.

Justices Bay, Nott and Johnson, concurred,
/12/scl/338 · .json · Public domain