Hartranft v. Du Pont

This was an action at law brought by Du Pont, the defendant in error, against Hartranft, collector of customs, to recover $500, that sum being the amount of a penalty unlawfully exacted by Hartranft, as collector, from Du Pont, as the latter alleged. The facts were as follows: The plaintiff resided in Wilmington, Delaware. He was the proprietor of certain powder works at Thompson’s Point, upon the Delaware River, across from Chester, Pennsylvania, and distant about two miles. He owned a wrooden boat called the Repauno, open except her forward part, which was boarded over. Her dimensions were…