The William Jarvis

SPRAGUE, District Judge.

This is a libel for seamen’s wages, on a voyage from New Orleans to Havre, thence to New Orleans, and thence to Boston.

The first question is, what was the contract rate of monthly wages ? Some of the libellants claim more than is set down in the shipping articles. Each of the libellants was offered, as a witness in his own behalf, the counsel contending that he was admissible by statute of Massachusetts of 1857, c. 305. It was decided in this court, in U. S. v. Dunham [Case No. 15,006], and afterwards in the circuit court, that the rule of evidence prescribed by that…