He was giving boat rides on his small boat to the steamboat in the middle of the river.
He was accused of operating a ferry across the Ohio River without a license.
He defended himself by saying he only took passengers halfway to the other shore, the middle of the river to catch a ride on the steamboat. He did not need a license to do that.
He did not carry passengers from one side of the river to the other side.
The judge agreed with him.
So when is this "Old Enough To Know Better" supposed to kick in?