14 Apr. 1803

Evidence

Object

So far as this account of them is just, the several decisions and discussions exhibited by them may all of them be referable with propriety to the question to the problem concerning the weight of evidence: concerning the weight - the persuasive force in each instance proper to be allowed to this or that article or species of evidence. The account thus given of them will accordingly be found just: so far at least as the little points of difference that may be found in their respective contents will admitt of /of these different works will be found capable of admitting of/ one and the same description. I say just, but to render it such, an explanation will be found requisite. To reject a piece of evidence - not to suffer to be exhibited a document or a testimony which at the instance of this or that one of the parties would, if permission could be obtained, the exhibited in the character of a piece of evidence - is the same thing in effect as to say that it shall not be suffered to have any weight at all. The decisions and discussions reported /exhibited or referred to/ in theses books turn almost exclusively on the question /point/ shall the piece of evidence on the carpet be suffered or not be suffered to be exhibited and handed up to the Judge.

From the phraseology belonging to the language at large, let us now turn for a moment to the particular phraseology in use on this occasion among English lawyers. In almost every instance that occurrs, expressed in general language The question discussed with respect to the piece of evidence on the carpet is - shall it be received or rejected: this expressed in technical language is - the objection made to the evidence supposing it valid shall it be understood to apply to the competency of the evidence or to its credibility.+ If the answer be to the competency and such be the decision - this is as much as to say - the evidence shall not be admitted: it shall be rejected, excluded: it is bad evidence. If the answer be to the credibility only - this is as much as to say the evidence shall be received: shall be admitted.

+ competency and credibility - the language confined to oral evidence: in[?] other species no words received as[?] employed