Court Opinion

ID: 5549969
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 21:32:54.096436+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:35:02.587785
License: Public Domain

The Chancellor.
Upon the hearing before the master, the complainant examined the defendant, upon certain particular subjects of the reference; and the defendant as a witness, then also gave testimony in his own favor, upon other subjects in reference, distinct from those upon which he had been examined by the complainant. This latitude of examination, xvas opposed by the complainant; but the master being of opinion, that when the complainant examines the defendant, the latter is made a witness as to all the matters in reference, so decided; and much testimony was given by the defendant, upon subjects unconnected with those upon which he was examined by the complainant.
I do not concur with the master in this decision. The rule of the English chancery, that a defendant accounting may discharge himself by his own oath, from sums not exceeding forty shillings, is by no means so extensive; and that rule is itself, an exception to general principles. The defendant was here indeed, examined by the complainant; but the complainant’s intention was, to examine the defendant, concerning certain particular transactions, and not to make him a witness in the cause, at large. When the defendant' was interrogated in respect to any fact or transaction, he had a right to give alibis testimony upon that subject, whether it might be favorable to himself or to his adversary : but it can not be proper, that a party should become a witness for himself, in respect to transactions wholly distinct from those which are the subject of interrogation. A defendant thus examined by the complainant, stands in effect, in the same situation, as if he were called to answer a bill of discovery. He must answer upon ,the subject put to him; and he may give every explanation applicable to that subject.
The subjects of reference were here various ; and many of the facts to be ascertained, were wholly distinct from each' other. The master has given such parts of the testimony as the parties requested him to report; and it is agreed, that a portion of the testimony taken by the master, is not before the *231court. The testimony of the defendant, has had an extensive influence upon the master’s decision and report: and as the cause now stands, it is hardly possible, to separate those parts of the defendant’s testimony, which should have been rejected, from those which should have been received ; or to attain the justice of the case, by any decision which can be made upon the exceptions now depending. The English chancery often directs a master to review his report; but in this case, the master who made the report, is not now in office. In these circumstances, the only safe course seems to be, that a new hearing should take place; and the cause is therefore, again sent to a master, to execute the former order of reference.