Case Name: Holmes versus Comegys
Court: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1789-06
Citations: 1 Dall. 439
Docket Number: 
Parties: Holmes versus Comegys.
Judges: 
Reporter: Dallas
Volume: 1
Pages: 439–439

Head Matter:
Holmes versus Comegys.
THIS was a Scire Facias against the Garnishee in a Foreign Attachment, upon the trial of which the confidential agent, or factor, of the original Defendants, who was casually attending in Court, was offered as a witness to prove effects in the hands of the Garnishee.
Levy,
objected to the admission of the witness; and contended, that he ought not to be allowed, or, at least compelled, to give evidence of matters confidentially communicated to him as an agent; and that the Court had then no power over him as a witness, because he had not been subpœna’d to attend.

Opinion:
But by
Shippen, President
It would be of very dangerous consequence, if it was established, that a commercial agent was not amenable as a witness in a Court of Justice, in a cause against his constituent. It is draining the matter of privilege too far: And, if the law makes him a witness, we are too fond of getting at the truth, to permit him to excuse himself from declaring it, because he conceives, that, in point of delicacy, it would be a breach of confidence.
By the Court :—Let the witness be affirmed.