This Supreme Court case involved a dispute between the claimants of the cargo and ship of the Admittance, Jecker, Torre & Co., et al. and Fessenden & Fay, and John B. Montgomery who was libellant in this case. The court found that although there were some irregularities with respect to how the vessel was transferred from one owner to another as well as discrepancies regarding its registration papers, these issues did not affect ownership rights or title over either the cargo or ship itself. Furthermore, it determined that since both parties had an equal right to claim ownership over said property they should be held jointly liable for any damages incurred by third-parties due to their negligence in maintaining it properly while under their control. As such, neither party could deny liability on account of having superior title over either asset without first proving that they had taken all necessary steps required for proper maintenance prior to transferring possession thereof

In Jecker, Torre, and Co., et al., Claimants of the Cargo of the Ship Admittance, and Fessenden and Fay, Claimants of the Ship Admittance v. John B. Montgomery Libellant (1855), Justice McLean wrote a dissenting opinion in which he argued that Congress had not intended to give jurisdiction over admiralty cases to state courts. He noted that while there was no express provision in any law granting such power to state courts, it could be inferred from certain statutes passed by Congress regarding maritime matters; however he felt this inference was too weak for such an important issue as jurisdiction over admiralty cases. Furthermore, Justice McLean pointed out that if Congress had intended for states to have jurisdiction over these types of cases they would have made their intentions clear through legislation or other means rather than leaving it open to interpretation based on inferences from existing laws. In conclusion he stated his belief that only federal courts should have authority when deciding admiralty disputes since they are uniquely qualified due to their expertise in maritime law and familiarity with international treaties related thereto.