3 Binn. 539 | Pa. | 1811
This action was brought on a bond of the defendant to Obadiah Osburn, dated 8th November 1802, and assigned by Osburn to the plaintiffs 22d June 1804.
On the trial in the Circuit Court, the deposition of Obadiah Underwood was produced as evidence on behalf of the defendant, and admitted by the court, although objected to by the counsel for the plaintiffs. Whether it was legal evidence is the question.
Two reasons have been urged in support of the objection to the evidence. 1. That the person before whom the deposition was taken, does not style himself a justice of the peace, 2. That the deposition contains evidence of a settlement of accounts/between Osburn and the defendant, by which it appeared that Osburn was indebted to the defendant in the sum of 20 dollars, after crediting the amount due to Osburn on the bond; but it did not clearly appear, whether this settlement was previous to the assignment of the bond to the plaintiffs.
1. Although Wm. Meetkirke, before whom the deposition was taken in the county of Washington, does not style himself a justice of the peace, yet it was proved that he was a justice, by a certificate of the prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of that county. Whether he called himself a justice or not, is not rnaterial, as there is satisfactory evidence that he was a justice. We are not to construe this transaction with the same strictness, as if we were examining a record of a conviction by a justice of the peace under a penal statute. In such a case, it might be necessary that
2. That part of the deposition which relates to the settlement between Osburn and the defendant, was admitted specially. The judge told the jury he left it to them to decide, whether the settlement was before or after the assignment of the bond. Of this they were to judge from the whole of the deposition; and if they should think that the settlement was subsequent to the assignment, they were to pay no regard to it. I cannot see why the deposition might not be admitted under this restriction. If it had appeared clearly to the judge, that the settlement was subsequent to the assignment, he ought not to have permitted it to go in evidence. But it was doubtful; he left it therefore to the jury to decide the previous point, on which the validity of the evidence turned. It is something analogous to the common case of a deed being offered in evidence, which is to be proved before it is read to the jury. The court if they, please may decide whether it is sufficiéntly proved; but they may, and frequently do, leave it to the jury, to determine the sufficiency of the proof, and then the deed is read; but the jury are told, that they are not to consider it as of any validity, unless they are satisfied that it was executed by the party. In that case, as in this, there is a previous question, which at the discretion of the court may be .either decided by themselves, or sub
It has been objected by the plaintiffs’ counsel, that the deposition of Obadiah Underwood was inadmissible in evidence, inasmuch as it does not appear in the body of it, that William Meetkirke esquire before whom the deposition was taken, was a justice of the peace of Washington county. It is certain that it would be more correct in point of form, if it had been so expressed in the instrument. But the question is whether the want of it be such a defect, as would prevent the reading of the deposition under the cir-■ cumstances of this case?
The rule of court directs that the deposition be taken, and in pursuance thereof Underzuood appeared on the 30th April 1808, and being duly sworn did depose and say, &c. He signs his name to the deposition, which was written on the same sheet of paper whereon the rule of court was certified by the clerk of the Circuit Court, to which are subjoined the words, “Sworn and subscribed, Wm. Meetkirkeand on the-same day a certificate is given by the prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Washington county, under his seal of office, that Wm. Meetkirke esquire was then a justice of the peace of the same county.
I well recollect that some years ago it was the usual practice to read depositions taken in other counties than where the trial was had, without the certificate of the prothonotary that the person who administered the oath, was a justice of the peace. It cannot however be denied, that in all cases the certificate of the prothonotary is much safer and superior evidence to rely on, as establishing the truth of that fact, than the words of the party himself styling himself a justice of the peace. No reasonable doubt can be entertained, here, that Meetkirke, while doing those things which appertained to his official character, acted in his public capacity as a justice of the peace. A natural as well as necessary implication, arises in my idea, that such was the case.
It has been further urged, that the notice of the matter intended to be insisted on by way of defalcation, was not
Finally, it has been objected that what passed between Osburn and Ross respecting their settlement, as contained in the deposition, ought not to have been received in evidence, unless it had been undeniably established to the satisfaction of the judge, that this transaction preceded the assignment of the bond on the 22d June 1804. I think that fact may fairly be inferred from circumstances detailed in the deposition; but it is certain, that the agreement for building the'
The question then is, was this illegal? I apprehend not, and that the judge conformed to the correct law and practice in such cases. It will be admitted, that if these matters had been sworn to by the witness viva voce in court, that the direction would have been correct. How can it be varied by being reduced to writing? What was done or said would be proper or improper testimony, according to the real time when it took place. Suppose, in addition to the case cited by the Chief Justice, an action for goods sold, and the defendant sets up a receipt of the plaintiff or a supposed agent, for the whole, or part of the sum demanded. If it be fully established that the receipt is not genuine, or the agency be disproved, the court would feel no difficulty in rejecting the paper. But on the other hand, if either of these facts should be doubtful on the proof before the court, would it not be more safe and correct, and more congenial to the spirit of our judicial system, to submit the question to the decision of the jury, with proper instructions to them as to the operation of the law according to the truth of the fact as found by
I am of opinion on the whole case, that its merits are clearly with the defendant, that justice has been done by the verdict, and that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.