4 June 1803

Best

Best evidence

From the above those comparisons, the definition of /the answer to the question what is/ the best evidence [...?] what is the best of all possible forms in /with/ which a mass of evidence given in point of substance can be preserved /invested/ may be determined /exhibited/ it should [...?] in these words. The best form to which the evidence /testimony/ of a given person can be consigned is that in which being scrutinized in the compleatest manner it is in the course of the scrutiny, put into the form of a written instrument, whereupon as often as occasion shall present itself for the taking it into consideration for any judicial purpose, it is the original instrument in question, and not the transcript of it that is so employed.