To Newton Deming and George P. Strong1Jump to section
Messrs. N.D. & G.P. Strong
Gentlemen
Yours of the 22nd is just received. The admiralty case now stands on appeal to the circuit court and consequently, can only be tried by Judge McLean; and I understand he will remain here only one week, commencing the first Monday of June. Of course, the other side will press for a hearing during that week.
I have just been to see Stuart & Edwards and they suggest that you see the plantiff's lawyer in St. Louis (I forget his name) and make an arrangement with him as to a day of taking up the case, and notify us.
I do not think any defence has been presented based on the fact of Messrs Page & Bacon2Jump to section having purchased under the Deed of Trust. Quere. Does not the Libellants right, attach to the specific thing---this case---regardless of who may own them?
There is no longer any difficult question of jurisdiction in the Federal courts; they have jurisdiction in all possible cases, except such as might redound to the benefit of a ``nigger'' in some way.
Seriously, I wish you to prepare, on the question jurisdiction as well as you can; for I fear the later decisions are against us. I understand they have some new Admiralty Books here, but I have not examined them. Yours truly A. LINCOLN