Robert Cooper Grier

“ It is now seventy years since the establishment of Courts of Admiralty in these States, yet it seems that the boundary line of their jurisdiction is not yet settled. During all this time it has never been supposed that the definitive sentence or decree of a Court of Admiralty was a lien or could be levied on lands. The dominion of the Admiral was over the sea-the ships and men who frequented it-their contracts and their torts. ”

“ This innovation in the jurisdiction of Admiralty Courts introduces a lien, unknown to the laws of any State.
The lien of judgments is a rule of property, which it is beyond the power of this Court to establish. Congress has been careful not to attempt the exercise of such a power; and only adopts the State rules in cases where, if the judgments or decrees had been in a State Court, they would have operated as a lien. ”

“ When either was arrested, they could be released by entering into stipulation with approved sureties (fide jussoux,) who consented that execution should issue against their goods and chattels in case of default.
There is no process known to Courts of Admiralty for seizing or selling land. ”