Montalet v. Murray

8 U.S. 46, 2 L. Ed. 545, 4 Cranch 46, 1807 U.S. LEXIS 364

• Court: Supreme Court of the United States
• Decided: February 12, 1807
• Status: Published

Opinion

The Court was unanimously of opinion, that the courts of the United States have no jurisdiction of cases between aliens.

Key then suggested, that perhaps it did not sufficiently appear upon the record, that the original parties to the notes were aliens ; But—

Marshall, Ch. J., said, that if it did not appear upon the record, that the character of the original parties would support the jurisdiction, that objection was equally fatal, under the uniform decisions of this court.

Judgment reversed, for want of jurisdiction, and with costs, under the authority of Winchester v. Jackson (3 Cr. 514).

But on the last day of the term, The Court gave the following general directions to the clerk. That in cases of reversal, costs do not go, of course, but in all cases of affirmance, they do. And that when a judgment is reversed, for want of jurisdiction, it must be, without costs.