Knap v. Sacket

1 Root 501

• Court: Supreme Court of Connecticut
• Decided: January 15, 1793
• Status: Published

Opinion

Underhill of New! York, owned the vessel; the plaintiff claimed her by virtue of a bill of sale from Close, captain of the vessel and agent for said Underhill; the defendant set up title to her in virtue of a purchase from said Under-hill, subsequent to the bill of sale from Close — whose power of agency and right to sell was drawn in question. And the defendant moved that Close might be sworn as a witness; but by the court was not admitted, for after he has executed a bill of sale in the name of Underhill, it shall not lie in his power to swear that he had no right to do it.

The defendant offered a hill of sale of said vessel, witnessed by two subscribing witnesses — which was denied to be genuine. The defendant offered to prove the execution by comparison of the handwriting — hut by the court, it will not do to admit the lowest hind of evidence to authenticate a deed, when it is apparent that the party has better evidence in his power, which might have been produced. The hill of sale was rejected.