Case ID: blume-sup-ct-trans_1/html/0326-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WOODWARD, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 218
    JAMES McGARVIN v. JAMES WILSON
    
      October 5, 1809
    
    
      Elijah Brush, attorney for plaintiff in error
    Solomon Sibley, attorney for defendant in error
   Held:

(Withered, J., dissenting)

The writ of error is quashed because security was not given by the plaintiff in error in conformity with the act of August 20, 1805. (Journal, infra, *p. 242)

OPINION BY

WOODWARD, C. J.

1. Under the Ordinance of 1787 the governor has no power to sign a bill in order to make it a law where less than a majority of the whole number of the governor and judges consent to his signing it for that purpose.

2. Such power cannot be conferred without an essential change of the Ordinance, hence can be conferred only by act of Congress.

3. The bill signed by the governor on November 8, 1808, purporting to give such power, is void and all acts done under it are void.