United States v. Pickering

The Court (Thruston, J., absent,)

decided, upon the authority of the United States v. Jesse Simms, 1 Cranch, 252, that an indictment will not lie; the statute having directed the prosecution to be by action on the case by the master for fourfold the value of the article bought or sold, and a penalty of $20 to be recovered by any person who will sue for the same, &c.