Sheehy v. Mandeville and Jamesson was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1810. The dispute arose when Sheehy, an Irish immigrant, sued two merchants for failing to pay him wages he had earned while working on their ship as a seaman. The defendants argued that since Sheehy was not a citizen of the United States at the time of his employment, they were not obligated to pay him wages according to U.S law or maritime custom; however, this argument failed before the court due to evidence presented that showed Sheehy had been promised payment prior to boarding and during his voyage with them. Ultimately, it was determined that although foreign-born seamen may be exempt from certain laws protecting citizens' rights under U.S law, they are still entitled to receive compensation for services rendered aboard ships sailing within American waters regardless of citizenship status if such promises have been made beforehand or during service onboard said vessels.

In Sheehy v. Mandeville and Jamesson, Justice Livingston delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the court should not have dismissed the case on technical grounds. He noted that although there was no dispute as to whether or not the defendant had received notice of suit, it was still possible for him to be held liable if his conduct constituted a fraud upon plaintiff's rights. In this case, Justice Livingston believed that such fraud could be established by circumstantial evidence since there were facts indicating an intent to defraud plaintiff out of her property rights. Therefore, he concluded that dismissal of the case on technical grounds would deny justice and urged reversal so that plaintiff could proceed with her claim against defendants.