United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Sample v. Barner, 55 U.S. 14 How. 70 70 (1852)

Sample v. Barner

55 U.S. (14 How.) 70

Syllabus

Where there was a judgment at law against a defendant in Mississippi and he sought relief in equity upon the ground that the consideration of the contract was the introduction of slaves into the state, and consequently illegal, a court of equity will not grant relief, because the complainant was in pari delicto with the other party.

Moreover, such a defense would have been good at law, and the averments that deception was practiced to prevent the complainant from making the defense are not sustained by the evidence in the case. And further, after the judgment, the complainant gave a forthcoming bond, thus recognizing the validity of the judgment.

The facts are all stated in the opinion of the Court.

Page 55 U. S. 71