The Frances, Boyer, Master (Irvin's Claim) was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1814. The dispute centered around the ownership of a vessel called “The Frances” and its cargo. William Irvin had purchased the ship from John Boyer and then sold it to James Master who subsequently died without having paid for it. When Irvin attempted to repossess the vessel he was sued by Boyer who claimed that he still owned it due to an unpaid debt owed him by Master. The court ruled in favor of Irvin finding that his title as purchaser took precedence over any claim made against him based on debts owed between other parties prior to his purchase of the ship. This decision established important legal precedent regarding property rights which has been cited numerous times throughout American history since then.

In this case, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a vessel called The Frances, Boyer, Master (the “vessel”) should be condemned as prize of war. The majority opinion held that the vessel should be condemned because it had been captured by an American privateer during wartime and therefore constituted enemy property. However, in his dissenting opinion Justice Story argued that there were insufficient facts presented to support such a conclusion. He noted that while it was true the vessel had been captured by an American privateer during wartime, no evidence was provided showing ownership or control of the ship at any point prior to its capture. Furthermore, he pointed out that even if ownership could have been established before capture occurred then still more evidence would have been needed to prove definitively who owned or controlled it when taken into possession by Americans forces. As such Justice Story concluded there simply wasn't enough information available for him to agree with condemnation of the vessel as enemy property and thus he dissented from the majority's decision on this matter