Jackson v. Twentyman

The 11th section of the act of 1789, must bo construed in connexion with and m conformity with the constitution of the United States. By this latter, the judicial power does not exténd to private suits:in Which an alien is a .party, unless a citizen be the adverse party ;• and it is indispensable to aver the citizenship of the defendants, to show, on the record, the jurisdiction of the court.

THIS cause was brought before the Court by a writ of error to the circuit court of the southern circuit of New York. The description of the parties on the record was “John Twentyman, a subject of the king of Great Britain vs. Daniel ahd Joseph Jackson.” No citizenship of the defendants being argued. The question was whether the circuit court under the 11th section of the judiciary act of 1789, ch. -20, which gives jurisdiction, among other cases, “ where'aji alien is a1 party,” had jurisdiction of the cause without an assumpsit on the record of the citizenship of the' defendants, argued that the judgment of the circuit court snoiild be reversed. He cited Bingham vs. Cabot, 3 Dall. 382. Hodgson vs. Bowerbant, 5 Cranch, 303. Sullivan vs. The Fulton Steam Boat Company, 6 Wheaton, 450.