Owings v. Speed, 18 U.S. 420 (1820)
U.S. Supreme Court
Owings v. Speed, 18 U.S. 5 Wheat. 420 420 (1820)
Owings v. Speed
18 U.S. (5 Wheat.) 420
Syllabus
The present Constitution of the United States did not commence its operation until the first Wednesday in March 1789, and the provision in the Constitution that "no state shall make any law impairing the obligation of contracts" does not extend to a state law enacted before that day and operating upon the rights of property vested before that time.
The books of a corporation, established for public purposes, are evidence of its acts and proceedings.