Commonwealth v. Matlack

4 U.S. 303, 1 L. Ed. 843, 4 Dall. 303, 1804 U.S. LEXIS 239

Opinion

4 U.S. 303 (____) 4 Dall. 303

Commonwealth
versus
Matlack.

Supreme Court of United States.

M`Kean, attorney-general, for the commonwealth.

Dallas, for the defendant.

But, after argument, the COURT declared, that the defendant could not indirectly recover from the state, a substantive, independent, claim by way of set-off, any more than he could directly recover a debt due from the state, by bringing a suit against her. That the present action was brought to compel an account for money received for the use of the Senate; in which the defendant, if he proved, that the money received was so applied, would be entitled to a verdict; but that even then, he could not be entitled to a verdict for the amount of his advances; which the Senate alone was competent to allow.

Verdict, generally, for the defendant.