Case Name: STATE vs. WILLIAMS
Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Decision Date: 1808-09
Citations: 2 Overt. 108
Docket Number: 
Parties: STATE vs. WILLIAMS.
Judges: 
Reporter: Tennessee Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 108–108

Head Matter:
STATE vs. WILLIAMS.
Jonesboro
Sep. 1808
Indictment for eves drop ping will lie in this country.
Indictment in the county court for eves’ dropping ; appeal to this court, and the only question was whether such a prosecution can be maintained.
It was insisted for the defendant, 1st. that there was no statute of the state upon the subject. 2d That the act which adopted the laws of England confined such adoption to such as are consistent with our mode of living, 1715, c. 31. s 5. No precedent can be found of such an indictment, which furnishes a strong inference that such a prosecution wasn't conformble to the principles of our government, or modes of living.

Opinion:
By the court
—Powell J. and Overton J. absent—Campbell J. Agreeably to the common law, such an indictment well lies, and nothing can be seen in this part of it, which is inconsistent with our situation, or in fact the situation of any society whatever.