Supreme Court of the United States March 13, 1877, 116 (Foster v. Master and Wardens of Port of New Orleans)

Mr. Justice Swatne

delivered'the opinion of the court.

This controversy has arisen out of an act of the legislature of Louisiana, approved March 6, 1869. By the first section it was made the duty of the master and'wardens of the port of New Orleans to offer their services to make a survey of the hatches of all sea-goirig vessels which should arrive 'at that pork; and a penalty was prescribed for