US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

Although a circuit court, sitting as a court of law, may direct credits to be given on a judgment in favor of the United States, and consequently examine the grounds on which such an entry is claimed, and may direct the execution to be stayed until such an investigation shall be made, yet it cannot entertain a bill, on the equity side, praying that the United States may be perpetually enjoined from proceeding upon such judgment.

Nor can a decree or judgment be entered against the government for costs.

It is unnecessary to recite all the circumstances which led to the filing of the bill in equity, as it was dismissed for the want of jurisdiction in the circuit court. The facts in the case are summarily stated in the opinion of the Court. It is proper, however, to exhibit the account to which the opinion of MR. JUSTICE WAYNE refers:

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SEARCY'S EXECUTORS AND SECURITIES

DR. Robert Searcy, late district Paymaster, in account with the U.S.

To amount of judgment, 21 June, 1827. . . . . . . . $17,028.41

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843

16 years, 3 months, 29 days . . . . . . . . . . . 16,597.80

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$33,696.21

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Page 45 U. S. 286

1828, May 3, Cr. by payment to Tho. Fletcher $ 1,283.62

" interest till 20th Sept.,

1843, 15 years, 4 months,

17 days . . . . . . . . . . 1,184.00

" July 8, " payment to Tho. H. Fletcher 519.25

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

15 years, 2 months, 12 days . 473.33

" July 18, " payment to Tho. H. Fletcher . 1,940.68

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

15 years, 2 months, 2 days 1,766.05

" July 24, " payment made to Tho. H.

Fletcher. . . . . . . . . . 498.33

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

15 years, 1 month, 26 days 455.34

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Page 45 U. S. 287

" Oct. 28, " payment made to Tho. H.

Fletcher. . . . . . . . . . 960.00

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 10 months,

22 days . . . . . . . . . . 857.92

1829, Jan. 15, " payment made to Tho. Fletcher 304.60

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 8 months, 5 days 267.77

" Jan. 24, " payment made to Tho. Fletcher 498.34

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 7 months, 26 days 437.91

" Jan. 26, " payment made to Tho. Fletcher 286.67

" interest till 20th Sept., 1843,

14 years, 7 months, 24 days 251.39

" April 6, " payment made to Tho. Fletcher 1,273.76

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 6 months, 14 days 1,110.48

" June 12, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 1,163.50

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 3 months, 8 days 995.92

" June 24, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 1,027.75

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

14 years, 2 months, 26 days 877.40

" Oct. 22, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 1,920.00

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

13 years, 10 months, 28 days 1,602.56

1831, Oct. 28, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 200.00

" interest till 20, Sept., 1843,

11 years, 10 months, 22 days 142.73

1832, Jan. 1, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 500.00

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

11 years, 8 months, 20 days 351.67

" Sept. 3, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 1,669.49

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

11 years and 17 days. . . . 1,166.27

1833, Jan. 1, " payment made to Jas.

Collinsworth. . . . . . . . 2,104.60

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

10 years, 8 months, 20 days 1,351.00

1834, Jan 1, " payment made to Collinsworth 1,279.80

" interest till 20 Sept., 1843,

9 years, 8 months, 20 days 756.08

1833, Jan. 1, " payment made to Collinsworth 861.00

" interest till 20 Sept., 1943,

10 years, 8 months, 20 days 553.91

1839, Jan. 1, " payment made to J. P. Grundy 422.00

" interest till 20 Sept, 1843,

4 years, 8 months, 20 days 119.58

1831, Aug. 10, " payment made to Collinsworth 425.00

" interest till 20 Sept, 1843,

12 years, 1 month, 10 days 308.84

---------- $35,521.27

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Amount overpaid . . . . . . . . . $ 1,895.06