UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

In cases of concurrent jurisdiction, courts of equity consider themselves bound by the statutes of limitation which govern courts of law; in many other cases, they act upon the analogy of the limitations at law; but even where there is no such statute governing the case, a defense founded upon the lapse of time and the staleness of the claim is available in equity where there has been gross laches in prosecuting the claim, or long acquiescence in the assertion of adverse rights.

The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.