Clayton v. The Schooner Eliza B. Emory

The libellants represent the majority in interest of the owners of the schooner Eliza B. Emory, and have brought this suit to obtain possession of the vessel. It is not denied that, under ordinary circumstances, this right will be enforced against the minority interest in a vessel, in favor of the majority, but it is contended that John B. Clayton, whose interest must be united with that of the other libellants to make up a majority of the proprietary shares of the vessel, is estopped from asserting his right as owner, and that, therefore, a majority of the owners is not represented in the…