The Maud Palmer

MORTON, District Judge.

As the libelant concedes — very properly I think — that this libel cannot be maintained under the general law as to maritime liens, no discussion of the law or statutes on that point is necessary. The lien claimed arises, if at all, either from the alleged special agreement between the libelant and the owners of the Palmer (the claimants here), or from the alleged custom of the port of Portsmouth.

Upon the latter point no evidence was introduced, except that of Mr. Garrett. His testimony amounts rather to a statement of his understanding as to the general law of maritime…