Case Name: LADD v. WILSON
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1806-03
Citations: 14 F. Cas. 926
Docket Number: 
Parties: LADD v. WILSON.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 14
Pages: 926–926

Head Matter:
Case No. 7,976.
LADD v. WILSON.
[1 Cranch, C. C. 293.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
March Term, 1806.
ClIARTER-PARTY — COXKTIIUCTION—PaROL EVIDENCE.
1. A clause in a charter-party, that "during obstruction of the navigation by ice the lay days are not to be counted,” applies to such obstruction as prevents the lading of the vessel, as well as to such as prevents her going to sea.
2. I'arol evidence cannot be admitted to vary or explain an unambiguous written agreement.
Covenant, on a charter-party, for non-payment of demurrage. The plaintiff agreed to allow twenty working lay days for the loading at Alexandria. The cargo was to be wheat. At the bottom of the charter-party were these words, which were inserted before signing: “It is. however, understood that during obstruction of the navigation by ice, the lay days are not to be counted.”
Mr. Swann, for plaintiff,
prayed the court to instruct the jury that the obstruction of the navigation by ice, meant the obstruction to the sailing of the vessel from Alexandria out to sea, and not any obstruction above or in the creeks and branches of the Potomac: which instruction the court refused to give, but instructed them that no day in which the plaintiff was obstructed by the ice in loading the vessel, was to be counted one of the twenty working lay days.
E. J. Lee, for defendant,
offered a witness, Alexander Henderson, to prove that the usage of trade was, that demurrage was payable where the freight was payable, viz., that the demurrage in this ease was to be paid in Spain although it accrued in Alexandria.
[Reported by Hon. William Crunch, Chief Judge.]

Opinion:
THE COURT
said there was no doubt as to the construction of the instrument, which must speak for itself. It cannot be varied by any such usage if proved. If it is matter of law the court are to decide it. If matter of fact it cannot be admitted to explain an instrument in itself not ambiguous.
[Upon the trial a verdict was rendered for the plaintiff, and a new trial being asked for. on the ground of a miscalculation of damages by the jury, it was refused. Case No. 7,977.]