THIS was an appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of Arkansas, sitting in chancery.
The bill was filed by William Russell against Roswell Beebe, Mary W. W. Ashley, Henry C. Ashley, William E. Ashley, George C. Watkins, and Mary A. Freeman, praying that they might be ordered to convey to the complainant certain pieces of property, which, it was alleged, they fraudulently withheld from him, and account for the rents and profits.
The Circuit Court decreed that the defendants should execute certain conveyances, surrender possession, and then proceeded to refer the matter to a master, with the instructions which are stated in the opinion of the court. The defendants appealed to this court.
It was submitted by Mr. Lawrence for the appellants, and Mr. Pike for the appellee.
Mr. Justice WAYNE delivered the opinion of the court.