United States v. Fifty-Three Bales of Rags

25 F. Cas. 1081, 19 Alb. Law J. 60, 1879 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26

Opinion

THE COURT

held that smuggled goods were absolutely forfeited, and no intervening rights even of a bona fide purchaser could prevail against the title of the government which relates back to the illegal act. The goods were, at the time of their transportation, the property of the United States, and by the coihmon law a carrier has no lien as against the true owner for the carriage of goods intrusted to him by one who had no authority to contract for the service.