Seagrove v. Redman

Decided December 1, 1797

Supreme Court of the United States · decided 1797-12

The plaintiff resided in the Havana, and was the agent of the defendants in fitting out a privateer for them, during the war. On the trial of this cause, he produced, and swore to the authenticity of, his book of original entries (some of which were made in his own handwriting, and some in the handwriting of a clerk), to prove the disbursements for the privateer.

Relies on Seagrove v. Redman

Decided 1797-12

¶1Evidence.

¶2A book of original entries (some of which were made in the plaintiff’s handwriting, and some In that of a clerk), relating to a mercantile transaction in a foreign country, produced and sworn to by the plaintiff, was admitted in evidence.

¶3The plaintiff resided in the Havana, and was the agent of the defendants in fitting out a privateer for them, during the war. On the trial of this cause, he produced, and swore to the authenticity of, his book of original entries (some of which were made in his own handwriting, and some in the handwriting of a clerk), to prove the disbursements for the privateer.

¶5And The Court admitted the evidence, after opposition, upon the principle, that as it related to a mercantile transaction, which took place in a foreign country, a relaxation of the strict rules of the common law was reasonable, just and necessary.