United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Wright v. Bales, 67 U.S. 2 Black 535 535 (1862)

Wright v. Bales

67 U.S. (2 Black) 535

Syllabus

The statutory enactments of the states of the Union in respect to evidence in cases at common law are obligatory upon judges of the courts of the United States, who are bound to apply them as rules of decision

On the 31st of May, 1859, Matthias B. Wright and John Conner brought trespass on the case in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio against Moses Bales, alleging in their declaration an infringement by defendant of a certain patent right to make and vend a draining plow of their invention. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Verdict for defendant, with costs. Plaintiff, in his exceptions, assigned, among other grounds of error, the refusal of the court to allow Wright one of the plaintiffs, to testify in the cause. Writ of error issued April 2, 1860.

Page 67 U. S. 536