Case Name: Murray v. Dowling
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1803-12
Citations: 1 Cranch 151
Docket Number: 
Parties: Murray v. Dowling.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 1
Pages: 151–151

Head Matter:
Murray v. Dowling.
An attorney at law cannot be compelled to disclose any fact the knowledge of which has been communicated to him by his client.
Replevin. Avowry for rent-arrear — plea in bar, no rent-ar-rear — general replication and issue.
Mr. Peacock
requested a postponement of the trial on account of the absence of the person who had possession of the original lease. Mr. Hewiit, for the plaintiff, pressed the trial. Mr. Peacock waived his application for a postponement, and offered ready.
On the trial Mr. Peacock being sworn as a witness, Mr. Hmitt asked him whether there was a lease in writing. Mr. Peacock stated that his knowledge upon that subject was derived from his client, in his capacity as counsel, and prayed the opinion of the Court whether he was bound to answer.

Opinion:
The Court
was of opinion' he ought not to be compelled to answer, and sustained the objection.