Charles Anthony Ingersoll
Judge Ingersoll no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Ingersoll decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He treated short customs protests as sufficient when they specifically told the collector that duty was being assessed above the actual quantity received.
“They claim that the collector should not collect duties on any quantity above the actual gauge. From them the collector would understand that they distinctly and specifically set forth, as a ground of objection to the jfayment of the duties, that they were assessed, not only on the quantity which arrived in the United States, but on a greater quantity. The protests are, therefore, sufficient.”
He granted interim patent relief when validity was admitted, infringement was clear, and the defendant refused compensation.
“The rights of the plaintiff are manifest. By the decision of this court in the case of the Metropolis, and the facts admitted in this case, the violation of right on the part of the defendant is clear.”
He subordinated mortgagees to material suppliers when the mortgagees' conduct led suppliers to believe they were dealing with vessel owners.
“It appears that Mr. Trowbridge was introduced to several of these material men as an owner, and his deportment and acts were such as to induce them to believe that he was one of the owners of the vessel to which the supplies were furnished.”
Cautions
He denied a maritime lien when the service provider had notice that payment rested on personal credit rather than the vessel.
“Having received such notice, he can have no lien for his services. His right of such lien has been waived.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The judge directed the jury to find a verdirt for the defendant.”
“The decision is, that the defendants be restrained from making any of the locks without first paying the plaintiffs for the same, or otherwise obtaining their consent; but this decision shall not be held to restrain them from manufacturing such locks as may be necessary to enable them to complete the contract with the British government, or to interfere in any way with their right to execute such contract. And it is ordered that the defendants be enjoined from disputing any right granted by the patent, or the right of the plaintiffs to the same; and that they be not permitted to withdraw their offer to pay, set forth in the affidavit of Mr. Palmer.”
“He, therefore, allowed the witness to be examined on behalf of the defendants.”
“Under all the circumstances, a decree may be entered for the libelants for $1,000—to be divided as follows: To Mr. Wendell, the third, mate, $700; to the captain of the George Law, $65; to the first mate, $35; to the owners, $200.”
“That part of the report, therefore, which allows the profits must be stricken out.”
“The protests are, therefore, sufficient. Judgment must be rendered for the plaintiffs for the excess of duties, -with interest from the time of payment.”
“Under these circumstances, the plaintiff must make out a case clear of all doubt, to authorize the court to grant the injunction prayed for. Such a case has not been made out. It seems that, under the first patent, and also under the first reissued one, the plaintiff failed to establish his right, when the question was tried at law. Without intimating what my opinion would be, on the proofs as exhibited, if the ease were now on the final hearing, I must deny the present motion. But, while I deny it, I will make an order requiring the defendants to be ready to try the action at law pending against them in this court, at the next term thereof, whenever the same shall be called, and providing that, if they are not so ready, an injunction shall then issue against them, as prayed for.”
“Applying those principles to this cause, the court ordered Town’s debt to be 'paid out of the one-half, and Nye’s debt to be paid out of the other half.”
“the court must hold that Crawford & Terry had a lien upon the boat for the work done and materials furnished in building her. By the contract between Small and the respondents, no property in the boat vested in the respondents, who have not paid for the boat, and the contract between them and Small is not sufficient to defeat the lien of Crawford & Terry. Their lien upon the boat would not be taken away by the attachment against them. To take it from them, something more would have to be done, and nothing more has been shown to have been done. This view of the case renders it unnecessary to consider the other points raised. Decree for the libellants, with a reference to ascertain the amount”
“Tlie court will consent that a solicitor be substituted in the place of Mr. Sargeant, when liis fees are paid, and not before. The motion now made must, therefore, be denied.”
A historical record
Judge Ingersoll no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.