Lewis v. Sixty-Five Packages of Merchandise 32 F. 111

Lewis and others v. Sixty-Five Packages of Merchandise. Merritt v. One Case of Wool, etc.

(Circuit Court, E. D. New York.

July 8, 1887.)

1. Salvage — Duties os Salved Property.

Where property is salved on the high seas, and brought by the salvors within the limits of the United States, the salvage claims are entitled to priority over the claims of the government for duties.

2. Same — Imported (loons — Customs Laws.

Goods so brought into the United States are not Imported goods, in the sense of the customs laws, so as to necessarily attach the right to duties.

3. Same — Sale o'e Salved Property.

But where the goods so brought within the United Slates, subsequently, by virtue of a sale, pass into consumption within the United Statesman equitable right on the part of the government to be paid duties arises; not taking precedence, however, of the salvage claims.

Whitehead, Parker & Dexter, for 'William Lewis.

Geo. A. Black, for Israel J. Merritt.

Mark D. Wilber, U. S. Atty., for the United States.