Case Name: Respublica versus Caldwell
Court: Philadelphia Court of Oyer and Terminer
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1785-09
Citations: 1 Dall. 150
Docket Number: 
Parties: Respublica versus Caldwell.
Judges: 
Reporter: Dallas
Volume: 1
Pages: 150–150

Head Matter:
Respublica versus Caldwell.
THIS was an indictment for a Nuisance, in erecting a wharf on the public property. The defendant offered witnesses to prove that the erection of the wharf has been beneficial to the public, and, therefore, not to be regarded as a Nuisance.

Opinion:
But
M'Kean, Chief Justice,
delivered the opinion of the Court, that the evidence was inadmissible, for two reasons: First, Because it would only amount to matter of opinion whereas it is on facts the Court must proceed; said the necessary facts are already in proof. Secondly; Because it would be no justification; for, on the same principle that the defendant might carry his wharf 12 feet, he could justify extending it farther; or any other man might excuse a similar intrusion. Suppose, for instance, a street were 60 feet wide, 12 feet might be taken off it, without doing any material injury to the public property, or creating any great obstruction to passengers; yet, surely this will not justify any man's actually building upon, and assuming the property of the 12 feet that could be thus spared.