Case Name: Ralph Pomroy v. The Columbian Insurance Company
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1804-11
Citations: 1 Cole. & Cai. Cas. 408
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ralph Pomroy v. The Columbian Insurance Company.
Judges: 
Reporter: Coleman & Caines' Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 408–409

Head Matter:
Ralph Pomroy v. The Columbian Insurance Company.
BOGERT applied, in this case, for a new trial, on an affidavit of newly discovered evidence from A. B. á man of good character and reputation.
Starr
offered affidavits, to show the person from whom the information was derived, was a man not worthy of belief, and in the present instance actuated fey motives of revenge.
Bogert
objected to their being received, because it was trying a man’s character, in a collateral way, by surprise, when he could never expect to be called on to support it, and must, therefore, be unprepared.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
This person comes forward, in the light of a witness : every man who does so, puts his general character in issue. You have invited the inquiry, by stating him to be a man of character and reputation. Every witness at a trial is equally unprepared ; we do not, therefore, see why we may not question his credibility as much as if he was before a jury. Read the affidavits.