Case Name: Thompson v. Carbery
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1811-12
Citations: 2 Cranch 39
Docket Number: 
Parties: Thompson v. Carbery.
Judges: (Fitzhugh, J., absent.)
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 2
Pages: 39–40

Head Matter:
Thompson v. Carbery.
In replevin, if the title to the goods he in issue, the Court will grant a new trial, if the jury give the defendant a verdict for the value of the goods, as -well as damages for taking them.
This was a motion for a new trial in an action of replevin, for a female slave, in which there was a verdict for the defendant for 425 dollars damages.
Mr. F. S. Key, for the plaintiff.
The jury have given the value of the slave in damages; and as there will be judgment for a return of the property the defendant will get twice the value of the slave.
Mr. Jones, contra,
said he had contended for vindictive damages ; and the question is whether these damages are enormous.

Opinion:
The Court
said it was evident that the jury had given their verdict under a mistake, having given the value of the negro as well as damages; and that as the defendant would have judg ment for a return of the property, and a remedy upon the replevin-bond if it should not be .returned, they would grant a new trial, unless the parties would agree upon a compromise. The defendant refused, and a new trial was granted upon payment of all the costs.
(Fitzhugh, J., absent.)