Case Name: Daniel Delavan against Jonas C. Baldwin
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1805-05
Citations: 3 Cai. 104
Docket Number: 
Parties: Daniel Delavan against Jonas C. Baldwin.
Judges: 
Reporter: Caines' Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 104–105

Head Matter:
Daniel Delavan against Jonas C. Baldwin.
NEW-YORK,
May, 1805.
After issue joined, the defendant may move to change the venue, when all his witnesses reside in the county to which it is to be changed.
MOTION by the defendant, to change the venue from the city and county of New-York to Onandaga.
In November last, at which time the plaintiff was entitled to ennter a default for want of a plea, notice of a similar motion was given, but from the papers not having been received in season, by the agent of Baldwin's attorney, the application was not then made. In April a plea of the general issue was given and received.
Hopkins,
on these facts, argued, that though the general rule .as to changing the venue by a defendant, was? that it should not be granted after plea pleaded, yet as the plaintiff might in an indirect way, at any time do it, by moving to amend, there could be no reason why a similar indulgence should not be accorded to the defendant. In addition to this, the defendant swears, that the cause of action, if any, arose in Onondaga, in which county the witnesses resided, by whom he could prove the facts contained in the notice subjoined to his plea. Foster v. Taylor 1 D. & E. 781 is in point.
Munro contra.
The defendant is too late.
Dickenson v. Fisher 2 Stra. 858.
Savery v. Serle. Say. 150. Griffith v. Hollier, Ibid. 294.

Opinion:
Kent, C. J.
I am of opinion the venue ought to be changed as there has been no loss of trial, and there will be no delay. This I think ought to be the regulating principle, as these applications are to the discretion of the court.