6 Abb. Pr. 239 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1857
The objection made by the defendants seems to-be entirely fatal to this case. The deceased was killed instantly by the negligence of defendants. At common law no action for damages would lie for such a killing. This accident, and the acts or omissions complained of, occurred in Connecticut; and whether an action will lie for acts done there, depends on the law of Connecticut. What the laws of Connecticut are on the subject does not appear, either, by the pleadings or evidence. They were neither pleaded nor proved. This court cannot judicially know them. In the absence of all evidence on the subject, it can, at most, only intend that the common law prevails there. A statute, to be sure, exists in this State which gives an action to the representatives of such a deceased person, but that statute has no extra-territorial force, and does not give an action for a wrong done out of this State. Whether an act or omission constitutes a wrong for which an action will lie, depends on the law of the place where it is done. As to matters of this kind, the States are foreign to each other; and the act done in Connecticut may, for all the purposes of a right of action under our laws, as well have been done in Russia; and as to any knowledge of the laws of another State or country, courts of this State may as well take cognisance of and enforce the laws of Russia as those of Connecticut. Our statutes are not in force as laws in Connecticut or Russia, and they cannot give rights of action for causes not otherwise actionable arising or occurring in either of those States. The plaintiff’s right of action, and the nature and extent of his right to damages or otherwise by virtue of his action, depend on the laws of the State where the acts complained of occurred and the cause of action arose. The laws of no other State are in force there.
The common law, we are to intend, determines the rights of parties there, and by that law plaintiffs could have no action. Whether there be any statutory provision in that State, and if so, what it is, we are not to know, save by legal evidence. This
The pleading, however, shows facts which may, in connection with another fact not stated—to wit, the law of the place where they occurred—constitute a cause of action. As it is apparent that a fact, very material, making this right of action complete, may exist, and as the statute of limitation would be a bar to a new suit, the plaintiff must have liberty to amend, on payment of all the costs since service of his summons, and have a new trial in this action. If he do this within twenty days after record of this order, and amend his complaint in this respect, he may have a new trial. If not, judgment must be entered for defendant with costs.