Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-26
RIackfnrd,s Renorts.

EDITOR OF THE SENTINEL:
SIR;-The accompanying notice, which you will be so
good insert, is from that excellent periodical the
United States Monthly LaW Maga-ine and Examiner
for January 1851, edited by John Livingston Esq, New
York City While the notice is meritcd tribute to the
devotion, learning and ability OF Judge Blacklord as
reporter it also reflects high honor upon the court Of
which he has long been ornament and the State
of which he pioneer. j. NJ
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 20, 1850
Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme
Court Of Judcature of the State of Indiana, with
bles of the cases and principal matters. By Isaac
Blackord, A NJ, &C., VOL VIII. Indianapolis:
Chapman & Spann, Printers. 1850.
We consider Judge Blacklord the most accomplished
reporter in the Union; his reports are models OF what
reports should he. In everything calculated enhance
their value they arc complete The printing and bind
ing is in the best taste, and may to Indicate the
discrimination elegance and usefulness of the
Every is dated the day and the month given, upon
which it adjudicated. This point is of the highest
Importance; subsequent often upon it. The
salabus at the head Of each is and brief the
gravamen of what is reported, and may be relied upon
as the true expression OF the The itself is
reported Lac and not reported argument innnendo or
quotations wide of the mark. There are spccica-
lions of the mechanism of precedens and the machinery
OF the courts, unless they present Improvement the
old patent or new principle The facts of the case or
the history of the proceedings, and the predicament of
the cause generally compressed and fully comprised
IN the decision In iac 1t is the decision that is report
ed The simple announcement that 'ths is error the
Court, is in general sufficient introduce in c0ram
JUDGE Then to the judgment of the court al
ways delivered with method brevity and paint. The
decisions contained in these reports of decisire
character. Clear and ready they examples of mas
ery and logical analysis, and of a comprehensive and
enlightened Judgment, presiding with dignity, conscious
and capable of seizing and solving questions they
arise, cyincng a classical and comprehensive reading
at the Of the law. Instances of obier dicta
are rare in these reports. They quoted law in
the North West With the New York bar, no udg-
ments extra judicial this State in consider
ation They have a value which circumScrbed limits
of territory shut out and worthy of quotation,
before the most august courts of the Union Vol.
VIII brings the reports down the November term,
lS49. We Cor suppose) that the first volume of a
series has been published by Judge Smith, Of the
same court. We hope this is not Indication that
Judge Backord has discontinued his abors in this de-
partment.
We have barely examined Judge Smiths reports. but
we cannot accord them place high as that of his
predecessor They do not appear to be reported with
the same care and ability An index Of the principal
matters follows Judge BIS Reports, which of itself is
sufficient to Indicate the professional character and val
ne of these volumes. This is the kind of mapping out
wh,h'Lord Bacon suggested should be done in every
branch of science.