Farrar v. United States (28 U.S. 459)/Opinion of the Court

by John Marshall

United States Supreme Court

28 U.S. 459

Farrar  v.  United States

The practice has uniformly been, ever since the seat of government was removed to Washington, for the clerk to enter, at the first term to which any writ of error or appeal is returnable, the appearance of the attorney general in every case to which the United States are a party, by entering his name on the docket. This practice must have been known to every attorney general, and has never been objected to It might be considered, therefore, as having an implied acquiescence on the part of the attorney general; although it is admitted that there is no evidence of any express assent. We do not say that this practice would be conclusive against the attorney general, if he should at the first term withdraw such appearance, or move to strike it out, in order to take advantage of any irregularity in the service of process. But if he lets it pass for that term, without objection; we think it is conclusive upon him as to an appearance.

The decisions of this court have uniformly been that an appearance cures any defect in the service of process; and there is nothing to distinguish this case from the general doctrine. The cause therefore is ordered to be reinstated.

On consideration of the motion made by the attorney general on the part of the defendants in error in this cause, to dismiss the writ of error in this cause, on the ground that the citation is made returnable to a day during the vacation, to wit, on the first Monday in January, A.D. 1828, whereas the return day should have been the second Monday in January, A.D. 1828, it is ordered by the court, that inasmuch as the said defect is cured by the appearance of the attorney general on the part of the defendant, said motion be, and the same is hereby overruled.

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