Case Name: The States of Maine and Massachusetts vs. Webster & al.
Court: Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Maine
Decision Date: 1831-06
Citations: 8 Me. 105
Docket Number: 
Parties: The States of Maine and Massachusetts vs. Webster & al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Maine Reports
Volume: 8
Pages: 105–106

Head Matter:
The States of Maine and Massachusetts vs. Webster & al.
In .lotions brought jointly by tlie States of Maine and Massachusetts for injuries to their common lauda in Maine, no judgment can bo rendered for costs, in favor of the defendant.
The two States of Maine and Massachusetts having brought a joint action of trespass quare clausum fregit, for cutting timber on their common lands, in which a verdict was returned for the defendants ; the latter moved for judgment for their costs.
Sprague, for the defendants,
supported the motion on the ground that a judgment for costs resulted from the general provisions of Stat. 1S21, ch. 59, sec. 17, giving costs in all cases to the party prevailing. The legislature having made no exception, none ought to be made. The difficulty of framing a writ of execution to collect them, is no valid objection to the judgment itself. If the defendants cannot collect their costs of Maine, this is no good reason why Massachusetts should not pay them. Mills v. Burgee, 7 Cranch. 481; United States v. La Vengeance, 3 Dali. 297; The Antelope, 12 Wheat. 546; Sargeant’s Const, law, 88; Cohens v. Virginia, 6 Wheat. 264; Slat. 1821, ch. 53, sec. 1, 4.
The Attorney General, for the plaintiffs,
cited 6 Dane’s Abr. 582, sec. 7; Rex v. Plunkett, 3 Burr. 1329-; United States v. Hooe, 3 Cranch. 73; 1 Cranch. 259; 3 Dali. 301 ; 1 Com. Dig. 316; 1 Chitty’-s Crim. law, 283.

Opinion:
Mellen C. J.
delivered the opinion of the Court, at the ensuing June term in Washington.
This is an action of trespass quare clausum fregit and a verdict having been returned in favor of the defendants they move for judgment for their costs. The motion is a novel one; and if we should grant it, we could not, by any of our process, carry it into execution, and give to the defendants the fruits of the judgment. They could be obtained only on petition to the legislatures of the respective States; and that can be done as well without as with such a judgment. The counsel has cited some expressions of the Supreme Court of the United States, that perhaps a judgment for costs might be entered against the United States ; but it does not appear ever to have been done. It is said that though a State is not sueable, yet if such State sues an individual in a civil action, they then both stand on the same level, and judgment for costs ought to be entered against such State. Justice seems to require that the State in such a case should pay costs; but we are not aware that we can rightfully enter the judgment moved for. In the case of inquests of office, which are usually prosecuted for the benefit of individuals, there is a special statute provision for the payment of costs from the State Treasury; and this seems to be a legislative declaration that without such a provision, costs could not be demanded. It may be a very proper subject for the consideration of the legislature ; and it is for them to adopt such measures as they may deem consistent with justice and sound policy.
Motion denied"