United States v. Doherty

This suit is brought under section 2923 of the Bevised Statutes, to recover of the defendant a penalty of §100, for declining to answer a question asked him by the custom-house appraiser in reference to the price of certain goods which were before the appraiser for appraisement. Upon the trial before the court and a jury a verdict was directed for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the court, there being no dispute about the facts. It was admitted that the defendant, who was one of the firm of J. & 0. Johnston, of this city, contracted with the manufacturers at Lyons, Prance, for the…