Pratt v. Carroll

Marshall, Ch. J.,

delivered the opinion of the court, as follows : — This is an appeal from a decree of the Circuit Court for the district of Columbia, whereby a bill brought by the plaintiffs for the specific performance of a contract, was dismissed. The material facts are these :

Daniel Carroll, the defendant, was, previous to the establishment of the city of Washington, proprietor of a large tract of land, part of which lies within its present limits. This part was conveyed to trustees, one moiety for the use of the public, and the other moiety for the use of the said Carroll.

After the place…