Case Name: RAMBLER v. CHOAT
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1804-06
Citations: 20 F. Cas. 211
Docket Number: 
Parties: RAMBLER v. CHOAT.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 20
Pages: 211–211

Head Matter:
Case No. 11,542.
RAMBLER v. CHOAT.
[1 Cranch, C. C. 167.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
June Term, 1804.
Evidence — Answer to Libei. — Pleading at Law t —General Cocnt — Special Agreement.
1. In an action at law by a seaman against the master, the plaintiff may read, in evidence, | the answer of the master to a libel by the sea- i men for their wages, the plaintiff being one of , the libellants. ■
2. If there be a special agreement, the plaintiff cannot recover upon a general count.
Suit by a seaman for wages against the captain of the ship Governor Strong.
Mr. Youngs, for plaintiff,
offered to read the answer of the captain to the libel of the sail- j ors in the court of admiralty, the present ! plaintiff being one of the libellants. ¡
Admitted by the court (KILTY, Chief Judge, ; •doubting). i
It appeared by the proceedings in the ad- , miralty, that shipping articles had been exe- i cuted, and the declaration being indebitatus assumpsit for work and labor, and quantum meruit, and no special count on the agreement.

Opinion:
THE COURT
(nem. con.) was of opinion that the plaintiff could not recover on this declaration, it being in evidence that there was a special agreement.
Leave to amend, on giving fresh security for costs, by first day of next term.
Nonsuit reinstated, with leave to amend.