United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Hepburn & Dundas v. Ellzey, 6 U.S. 2 Cranch 445 445 (1805)

Hepburn & Dundas v. Ellzey

6 U.S. (2 Cranch) (2 Cranch) 445

Syllabus

A citizen of the District of Columbia cannot maintain an action in the circuit court of the United States, not being a citizen of a state within the meaning of the provision in the law of the United States regulating the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States.

Page 6 U. S. 445

The certificate stated

"In this cause it occurred as a question whether Hepburn & Dundas, the plaintiffs in this cause, who are citizens and residents of the District of Columbia, and are so stated in the pleadings, can maintain an action in this Court against the defendant, who is a citizen and inhabitant of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is also stated so to be in the pleadings, or whether for want of jurisdiction the said suit ought not to be dismissed. "

Page 6 U. S. 452