Case Name: John Harris, Appellant, v. William B. Nugent, Appellee
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1829-11
Citations: 3 Cranch 649
Docket Number: 
Parties: John Harris, Appellant, v. William B. Nugent, Appellee.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 3
Pages: 649–649

Head Matter:
John Harris, Appellant, v. William B. Nugent, Appellee.
The maritime law does not apply to such boats as the Tyber steamboat, a ferry-boat running between Washington and Alexandria.
The master of such a boat is not personally liable for the wages of the hands.
Appeal from the judgment of a justice of the peace, for the wages of Nugent, on board “ The Tyber” steamboat, a ferryboat, or packet, running between Washington and Alexandria. Nugent was the plaintiff below. The evidence which he relied upon was the following paper:
“ Shipped W. A. B. Nugent, May 6, 1829, on board the Tyber steamboat, at twenty-two dollars per month. For the steamboat Tyber, John Harris.”
And parol evidence that Harris was the master of the boat; but had been dismissed before suit brought.
The justice had given judgment only for the amount of wages up to the time when the master was dismissed.

Opinion:
The Court (nem. con.) reversed the judgment; being of opinion that it was not a, personal engagement by Harris, and that the maritime law did not apply to such boats, so employed.