Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-26
TO THE PUBLIC.

III Will ltiC
Il ance and necessity of an early publication
of the decisions of those Courts, whose opinions
become the law of The land being convinced
thar the speedy and general circulation of correct
reports Of those decisions is not less requisite
a knowledge Of the law than that of the acts CT
each session of the legislature; having often our
selves felt and observed the inconvenencies aris-
ing from the want of information of this nature !;
and, in consequence of our situation, being ena
bed diligently to attend the Couyt of Appeals
and Superior Court OF Cianeery at this place,
and TO furnish reports of the most import
ant of their proceedings with as little delay as
poasib!e; we have determined to undertake the
work wflchwe now offer 10 the patronage of the
public Indeed. we hatter ourselves that the uti.
lity of work of this description, must be appa.
rent to every judge and magistrate, as well as to
every member of the bar. At present, the decisi
ons of the Court of Appeals are unknown, ex
cept TO the few who are Immediately conversant
with them, until several years have elapsed from
the time when they rendered How often
therefore, have the inferior courts been compel.
ed to listen to mere oral and inaccurate reports
of cases said TO have bcen determined by the
Court of Appeals How ofien have they decid
cd points of law in direct opposition TO doctrines
Already settled by the Superior Courts, bu: of
which no report had been pubiished' thus sub
Jeeting Inc parties 10 the expense and delay of
ShuWinlai litigation, ana 10 the injury atISlng
from the reversal of udg uent or decree, all of
which ruicht otherwise have been avoided The
disadvantages, to which the practitioners of law
IN the country are subjected. in giving advice to
their clients without possessing an opportunity
of knowing the decisions by which that advice
ought TO be governed, truly great, and, no
doubt, are universally felt and Acknowledged.
With respea 10 the ri es OF practice in Chancery
suits, knowledge of the mc,hod OF proceeding
IN che Superior Courts of Chancery, is essentially
necessary 10 The Countyand Cooperation Courts;
the law having expressly declared that those
Couus snail i'll Chancery cases conform 20 the
practice Of the High Court OF Cnareery in like
cases. Yet, for want of information on this
suhjeA, it is certain that very different modes of
Trocceding prevail in the several County and Cor.
poTa,iOn Corrts 1t appears therefore evident
that the ok contemplated, by which an auernpt
WILDE made to remedy the numerous incoMveni.
encies have mentioned would, if well exc.
cured, be pecu!iarly conducive to the public good
In prosecuting this undertaking. we shall en-
deavcr to avoid tedious or proix method Of
stating the cases and arguments of counsel =
The du'ics Of a udicious reporter VIC conceive TO
be, 1. To give q concise and accurate statement
Of the points in controversy, and the most i'm
portant circunst,nces only in each case . 70
mention briefly the substance of the arEumen' of
the Counsel ON both Sides with the authorities
cited by them, and--3. To insert the opinions of
the Judges at full length.
We shall exert ourselves to the utmost TO ful.
FL those duties TO The satisfaction Of cur readers,
and trust that or oint labors will enable us 70
furnish the work with the requisite expedition
and accuracy.