Morrison Waite,
Lamar v. Micou (104 U.S. 465)…
“ This is an appeal by the defendant below from a decree against him for less than $5,000. There is no claim of sef-off or counter-claim, except to reduce the amount of the recovery. In no event can he get any money decree in his favor. All he seeks to do is to defeat the claim of the appellee. Consequently the amount in controversy, so far as this appeal is concerned, is fixed by the decree. ”
