Zeigler v. The Paola R.

Compressing cotton for shipment by vessel or railroad is land business. The demand of the libelant in this case is, in effect, to establish a maritime lien for the compressing of cotton, when the compressing was performed inland, and before any contract of affreightment, binding on the ship, was made. The statement of the case shows that there can be no lien for such compressing. But the libelant says that in the port of New Orleans the custom and usage was and is that bills of lading of cotton are made, and rates are fixed, with reference to the delivery to the ship of uncompressed cotton,…