English Common Law in the Age of Mansfield studies i n legal history Published by the University of North Carolina Press in association with the American Society for Legal History Thomas A Green, Hendrik Hartog, and Daniel Ernst, editors Lord Mansfield, painting by John Singleton Copley, 1783 (Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London) English Common Law in the Age of Mansfield by james oldham The University of North Carolina Press Chapel Hill and London © 2004 The University of North Carolina Press All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Set in Janson by Tseng Information Systems, Inc The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Oldham, James English common law in the age of Mansfield / by James Oldham p cm — (Studies in legal history) Includes bibliographical references and index i s b n 0-8078-2869-6 (cloth : alk paper) — i s b n 0-8078-5532-4 (pbk : alk paper) Law—England—History—18th century Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, 1705–1793 I Title II Series kd612.o44 2004 340.5'7'094209033—dc22 2003025859 cloth 08 07 06 05 04 paper 08 07 06 05 04 Contents Preface xi Editorial Statement xv Abbreviations xvii part i Mansfield and the Court of King’s Bench Lord Mansfield The Court of King’s Bench 12 part ii Commerce and Contract Contract and Quasi-Contract 79 Bankruptcy 107 Insurance 124 Negotiable Instruments 152 Usury 165 Prize and Trade 177 Intellectual Property 190 part iii Crime and Tort 10 Libel 209 11 Restrictions on Religious Observance 236 [ vii ] viii Contents 12 Nuisance 248 13 Assault, False Imprisonment, and Offenses against Public Order and Welfare 260 14 Perjury 268 15 Negligence 276 16 Trespass and Trover 292 part iv Status and Property 17 Slavery 305 18 Marriage 324 19 Labor and Employment 343 20 Property and Wills 356 Conclusion 364 Appendix: Table of Regnal Years 371 Bibliography 373 Table of Statutes 393 Table of Cases 395 General Index 409 Illustrations ‘‘Term Time, or, the Lawyers All Alive in Westminster Hall’’ 13 ‘‘Councellor Double-Fee’’ 15 The Old Bailey 39 ‘‘First Day of Term’’ 45 ‘‘Lawyers in Term’’ 46 ‘‘A Peep into Westminster Hall on a Call of Serjeants’’ 49 William Blackstone 109 ‘‘A Meeting of Creditors’’ 114 King’s Bench Prison 123 ‘‘Moderate Interest’’ 170 South front of Kenwood 203 John Wilkes 223 ‘‘Sawny Wetherbeaten or Judas Iscariot’’ 223 ‘‘The Royal Chace’’ 225 ‘‘Inflammatory Arguments for and against the Test Laws’’ 238 ‘‘View of the Public Office, Bow Street, with Sir John Fielding Presiding’’ 264 ‘‘He That Debaseth Himself Shall Be Exalted’’ 270 Granville Sharp 307 ‘‘The Trial of the D of Cumberland and Lady Grosvenor for Crim Con.’’ 338 [ ix ] 412 General Index Coining, 41 Coke, Chief Justice Edward, 165, 178, 201n54, 214–16, 269, 325n4, 365 Collusion, 122, 286n57, 339n69, 340 Commenda, 167 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Common counts, 26, 83, 87, 91, 104 form of indebitatus assumpsit, 83 goods bargained and sold, 83 goods sold and delivered, 26, 83 money had and received, 26, 83, 87, 88, 88n55, 89, 91, 101n120, 125 money laid out and expended, 62, 83 money lent and advanced, 83 work and labor performed, 26, 83 Common Pleas, Court of, 12, 25n48, 43, 43n127, 44, 47, 51, 53 adjudication insurance, marine, 127n23, 142–44 labor and employment, 352 marriage, breach of promise, 330 patents, 202 trespass, 294 decline of, 47–48 jurors, 25n48 property and wills, 359 Serjeant-at-Law requirement, 47–48 Commons, House of, 5–6, 8, 169, 184, 218, 224n63, 228, 271, 271n15 See also Lords, House of; Parliament Company of Stationers, 191, 194 Compurgators (oath helpers), 80n3 Comyn, Robert (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Conscience, Court of, 88, 261n11 Consolidation rule, 71, 125n3, 129 See also Insurance Conspiracy, 120, 260–61n2 Constitution (U.S.) Article III, 369 Seventh Amendment, 369 Consumers, statutes protecting, 263, 265–66 Contempt, 72, 230n87 Continental law, 367 Contracts, 79–106, 360n20, 364 bilateral, 105n41 certainty, 102, 103 consensual, 102, 105 consideration doctrine of, 79, 82, 84–85, 86, 89– 90, 91n68, 102, 102n125, 106, 125, 329–30, 364n2, 365n3 equitable, 29 presumption of, 156 See also Bills of exchange definition by Blackstone, 83–84 evidence required, 85, 86 executed, partially, 84, 92, 102 executory, 91, 92, 106, 329 express, 88, 283 illegal, 92–93 immoral, 92–93, 141, 319, 332 implied, 83, 86–88, 89n56, 130 infant’s, 89, 331–32 insurance, 126, 130 void ab initio, 130, 132, 136 intent of parties, 79, 84–87 liability, negligence, 278, 285, 287 mercantile, 186 misfeasance, 80, 81 moral basis, 103n134 mutuality, 102 nonfeasance, 80, 81, 82, 329n26 origins, 79–83 parol, 83 pecuniary, 333, 334 performance, 79, 91, 92, 102 specific, 103 privity, 361 promissory estoppel, 106, 365 quasi-, 80, 83, 87–93, 105, 106, 364 compared to contracts, 91 ransom bill, 183 recission, 92 special, 26 specialty, 80, 164 unjust enrichment doctrine, 80, 97–98, 103–5 usurious, 89, 167n9, 171 voidability, 102 wagering, 92, 128n27, 319 See also Insurance—compared to wagering; Warranty General Index Contractus trinus, 168 Conveyance, fraudulent, 112, 116 See also Bankruptcy Copyright, 33, 190, 191–95, 201, 364 compared to trademark, 197 reputation damage to authors, 192–95, 205 rights authors, 191–95 booksellers, 194–95 common law, 191, 195, 195n27 printers, 194–95 statutes pertaining to, 191–94, 195n27 See also Patent; Trademark Coroners’ Courts, 12 Corruption of public officials, 20 Counterfeiting, 41 Courts, eighteenth-century atmosphere, 43–44 caseloads, 45–50 quantity/description, 43–44, 365 See also individual courts Covenant, 26, 79, 80–83, 105, 164, 360, 361–62 writ of, 81 Credit, letters of, 162 See also Bills of Exchange; Negotiable instruments; Promissory notes Criminal conversation See Marriage— criminal conversation Criminal law See Felonies; Mansfield, first Earl of—professional—criminal law judge; Misdemeanors; Procedure, trial; specific crimes Curry, Michael (printer), 222–24 Davenport, Thomas (counsel), 136n84, 255n38 Davy, Serjeant William (‘‘Bull’’), 14, 60n206 Dean of St Asaph See Shipley, William Debt, 26, 79, 82, 350n37 action for, 80–83, 121, 158 sur contract, 82 wager of law, 79, 80, 82–83 Debtors’ prison, 62, 108, 113n31 See also King’s Bench Prison 413 Deceit, 96, 196 Defalcation, 269, 333 Defamation, 17n12 private, 205 See also Libel Defoe, Daniel, 110, 246 DeGrey, Chief Justice William, 47, 48, 262, 294 Demosthenes, 4n8 Denison, Samuel (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Denison, Justice Thomas, 253 Detinue, 68, 80n2, 297 Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Farmer, 228 Dido (Dido Elizabeth Belle), 321, 321–22n74 Dissenters See Protestant Dissenters; Religious toleration Divorce a mensa et thoro, 335, 336 class distinctions, 335–36, 339 criminal conversation, relation to, 334–36 mutual consent, 339n69 procedures, 334–35 religious grounds for, 339n69 See also Marriage Doddridge, Justice John, 169–70 Dolben, Justice William, 171–72 Donaldson, Alexander (bookseller), 194–95 Douglas, Sylvester, 112n27 Dublin, Mr (slave), 320–21, 323 Dunbar, Earl of (James Murray, Mansfield’s brother), 4n12 Dundas, William (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Dunning John See Ashburton, Baron East India Company, 67, 98 Ecclesiastical Courts, 12, 90n64, 166, 335 Edward III, 276n2 Ejectment, action of, 26, 362 See also Property and wills Elizabeth I, 182, 347, 357 Ellenborough, Baron, Chief Justice (Edward Law), 105, 150, 265–66 Embezzling, 260–61n2 Engrossing, 35, 260, 266 414 General Index definition, 263, 265 statutes pertaining to, 35 See also Forestalling; Regrating Error, writ of, 43 Erskine, Chancellor Thomas (counsel), 46n142, 112n27, 228–30, 234–35, 269, 332n45, 333 Essay on Woman, 222 An Essay Upon Projects (Defoe), 110 Estoppel, promissory, 106, 365 Evidence, 18, 60–76 admissibility of, 61–62 best evidence rule, 66–67 confessions, 63n219 direct, 66n240 exclusionary approach, 62n216 hearsay, 66n240 parol evidence rule, 67, 295n24 principles, 66 testimonial, 63–67 See also Contracts; Nuisance; Perjury; Witnesses Exchequer Chamber, 48, 75n293, 341, 357, 358n10, 362n29 Exchequer, Court of, 12, 43, 51, 53, 61 civil jurisdiction, 43n127 Execution, writ of: bankruptcy, 116–18 Executor/executrix, 86, 86n44, 90 See also Property and wills Extortion, 260–61n2, 262 Eyre, Baron James (Exchequer), 54, 156 Eyre, Joseph (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 False accusations, 262 False imprisonment, 35, 178n5, 181, 260, 320n71 ‘‘Father of Candor,’’ 210 Fawcett, Christopher (Recorder of Newcastle), Fearne, Charles (conveyancer), 356n1, 358 Felonies, 34, 36, 233, 311–12n31, 366 Felonious dissent, 213–14n19 Feme covert contractual capacity, 324–28, 342 property rights, 324–28 separate trusts, 328 status, 324–25 trading as feme sole, 328n21 See also Marriage Feme sole, 328, 328n21 contractual capacity, 325, 326, 327n13 See also Marriage Fictions, legal, 17, 178, 296–97, 300, 301 Fielding, Henry ( Justice of the Peace), 35n95, 262n20 Fielding, John ( Justice of the Peace), 35, 73, 262 Finch, Elizabeth See Mansfield, Lady Elizabeth Finch, Lord Chancellor Heneage, Fitzherbert, Justice Anthony, 251n14 Foote, Samuel (playwright), 262–63 Ford, Bernard (counsel), 218 Forestalling, 260, 266 definition, 263, 265 statutes pertaining to, 35 See also Engrossing; Regrating Forgery, 40n112, 41, 41n122, 42, 42n125, 65n233, 67 Fornication bond, 93n77 Fortescue, William (Master of the Rolls), Foster, Justice Michael, 42n125, 56n183, 360n20 Fox, Charles James, 235 Francis, Sir Philip, 221n56 Fraud, 262 actions against attorneys, 279–80n23 bankruptcy, 10, 110, 116, 117, 121–22 contracts, 89, 101, 103, 104 insurance, 130–32, 136, 148, 149, 150 negligence, 287 negotiable instruments, 42 prize, 183 trademark, 196 usury, 173 Freeholders, 19, 23 French Revolution, 242 Gambling/gaming See Insurance Gaming houses, 250 Gaol delivery (London), 12, 272 sessions court, 12, 60n205, 245 Gay, John (playwright), 234–35n101 General Index General warrants, 222, 222n58, 368 George II, 9n33, 27, 32n76, 232n93 George III, 44, 271n15, 294, 337, 340n72 Glanvill, Ranulf de, 166, 248, 365 Glenbervie, Baron (Sylvester Douglas) (reporter), 112n27 Glyn, Richard (Lord Mayor, London), 42n123 Glynn, Serjeant John (counsel), 54, 224, 226, 230n88 Goldsmith’s Company, 22 Goods bargained and sold See Common counts Goods sold and delivered See Common counts Gordon, Lord George, 11, 246 Gordon Riots, 11, 47, 151, 236, 246, 261, 282 Gorman, Thomas (merchant), 20–21, 70n256, 135 Gould, Chief Justice Henry, 53n167 Gould, William (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Grantley, Baron (Fletcher Norton) (Attorney General), 210 Granville, first Earl of ( John Carteret), 4n8 Green, E (treatise author), 112n27 Grenville, George, 222 Grose, Justice Nash, 96, 101 Habeas corpus, writ of, 43, 121, 306, 311, 313, 319, 368n22 Hale, Chief Justice Matthew, 281, 284, 365 Hardwicke, Earl of (Philip Yorke) (Lord Chancellor), 6, 7, 27, 102–3, 107, 119, 192n9, 239, 310, 332n43, 358, 365–66, 366n5 Hargrave, Francis (counsel), 316 Henley, Robert, 310 Henry VIII, 108 Heresy, 209, 213–14n19 See also Libel Highway robbery, 38 Hill, Serjeant George (‘‘Serjeant Labyrinth’’), 74, 91, 115, 117n55, 315, 323 Holt, Chief Justice John, 30, 124, 128, 209, 281, 365 415 judicial opinions, 114, 155–56, 157–58, 171, 172n31, 211, 212–13, 214–17, 219, 221, 228–29, 232, 251, 283, 285, 309, 329, 331n34 Horne [Tooke], John, 24n25, 220, 231 Horse theft, 36, 37, 56, 56–57n183, 57 Husband and wife, 84 See also Marriage Hutchinson, Thomas (Governor, Massachusetts), 321–22 Impressment, 36 Indebtitatus assumpsit, 83, 158, 172 See also Common counts Indemnity principles, 88 Indians (Native Americans), 131, 236 Indictments, 99n110, 263 labor and employment, 348, 349, 350 libel, 209–10, 212, 216, 217, 228n80, 230n86 nuisance, 253, 254, 257n45 perjury, 268, 274–75n35 religious toleration, 245 slavery, 311 Informations, 245, 260, 262 libel, 209–10, 231 Injunctions, 195, 252 Inns of Court (London) Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, 3–4 Insolvent Debtors’ Bill (1781), 121 Insurance, 21, 24, 25, 29, 64n227, 65, 70n256, 104, 105, 185, 287, 318, 364 arbitration, 59n194 bills of assurance, 126 breach of warranty, 132–37 brokers, 59n194, 133, 149 cargo, slave, 21 companies, foreign, 185 compared to ordinary contract, 102, 103 wagering, 128, 141–46, 147, 150 concealment doctrine, 131, 131n50, 149 contract, uberrimae fidei (utmost fidelity), 124, 126, 130 double, 141 equitable consideration, 125 fire, 124, 146, 151 416 General Index fraud/material representation, 130–32, 134 good faith principle, 125, 130 requirements, 150–51 indemnification, 124, 138–41, 144, 150–51 interest insurable, 124 no interest, 142, 145 life, 65, 124, 139n100, 146–50, 151 marine, 97, 124–25, 127, 129–30, 146, 147, 151, 186 deviation from planned voyage, 137–38 origins, 125–29 policies, 21, 61, 65 assurance, 141n117 gaming, 143, 144, 147, 150 valued, 144–45 statutes pertaining to, 143, 143nn125–26, 144, 146–47, 147nn144–45, 367 underwriters, 26, 29, 64n227, 129–31, 132–33, 134, 149, 185–86 See also Contracts; Warranty Intellectual property See Copyright; Patent; Trademark Jacobism/Jacobites, 8, 247 James I, 115 Jefferson, President Thomas, 241n33 ‘‘Jew bail,’’ 273n31 John, Ancona Robin (slave), 319n66 John, Little Ephraim Robin (slave), 319n66 Jones, William (author, linguist, bankruptcy commissioner), 111–12, 228, 235, 283 Judiciary Act (1789) (U.S.), 369 Junius (polemicist), 6n22, 27, 210, 221, 224, 226–27, 235, 323, 340n72, 359 Juries attaint, 16, 105n139 attendance, 18–19 biased, 74 bribed, 19–20 credibility of, 20 criminal, 58 deliberations, 58–60 freeholder, 23–24 grand, 19, 209, 228n80, 311, 344 merchant, 20–22, 22n39, 23n41, 24, 27, 364n2, 368 methods of selection, 23, 26 nonattendance, 19 nullification, 211, 228 packing, 217 petit, 18 role in cases of bankruptcy, 107, 116 contract, 79, 92n73, 94n85, 96, 104–5 copyright, 205 defamation, private, 205 insurance, 21, 127–28, 135, 146n140, 148, 163 labor and employment, 343, 352, 353, 355 libel, seditious See Libel—seditious marriage, 324, 329, 332–33, 336–37, 339–42 mercantile disputes, 178 negligence, 283n42 offenses against public morality, 260 patents, 201, 202, 205 perjury, 271 property and wills, 358 religious toleration, 244 slavery, 311, 312, 320 sodomy, 262–63 trademark, 191, 196, 205 self-informing, 58 special, 19, 21, 22–25, 25nn51–52, 59, 70n256, 74–75, 125, 235 statutes pertaining to, 24 ‘‘struck,’’ 22 traverse, 214 Jurisdiction, in rem, 180 Juror withdrawal, 68, 73, 73n279 Justice of the Peace (office), 34, 35, 72, 245– 46, 267, 268, 271n13, 345, 347, 362n28 Justinian, 4, 100n113, 215, 359n16 Keith, Sir Basil (Governor, Jamaica), 134 Kempe, Serjeant William, 54n171, 57 Kennett, Brachley (Lord Mayor, London), 261–62, 282–83 General Index Kenyon, Chief Justice Lloyd, 11, 30n73, 64n228, 65, 104–5, 265–66, 327, 360n20 King, Chief Justice Peter, 105n141, 127n23, 142, 330 King’s Bench, Court of assessors, use of, 64–65n232 caseload, 45–50 court of equity, 27–29, 33 negligence duty of care expansion, 279–82 liability, strict, 284–85 original criminal jurisdiction, 35–36 procedures, 42–43 staffing, 14, 16 See also Juries; Procedure, trial King’s Bench Prison (London), 34 King’s Counsel, 16, 47 Knapp, Serjeant Jerome, 54n173 Labor and employment, 343–55 apprenticeship, 346, 347, 350n37, 352 arbitration, 345 conspiracy, 348–50 statutes pertaining to, 344–47, 351, 354–55 See also Trade combinations Lambert, Sir Daniel, 39 Lane, Samuel (Sheriff’s Summoning Officer), 19–20, 20n23 Law, Edward See Ellenborough, Baron, Chief Justice Law merchant See Lex Mercatoria Lawrence, Justice Soulden, 95, 101 Lee, Dr George (civil lawyer), Lee, Chief Justice William, 39, 50, 174, 180, 218, 283n42, 286–87, 299 Legge, Chancellor Harry (Exchequer), 40 Leigh, Serjeant Richard, 54n171, 216n31 Lewis, Thomas (slave), 308, 310–12 Lex Mercatoria (law merchant), 100, 102n124 Ley, Chief Justice James, 169 Libel, 26, 60n202, 274–75n35 actions civil, 216n31, 232–33 criminal, 232–33 417 blasphemous, 222n58 defamation, 213, 213–14n19, 214, 216, 230, 232, 233 definition, 216n34 private, 232–35 damages, 234–35 seditious, 10, 26–27, 28n61, 34, 59, 111– 12n25, 209–32 innuendo, 211, 226, 228, 229, 230–32 intent, 211, 213, 214–15, 218, 219, 220, 224, 230–32, 234 juries, 209, 211, 213–15, 216n34, 217–19, 219n50, 224, 226–30, 232–35 liberty of the press, 209, 213, 214, 218, 221, 227, 229 origins, 212–17 statutes pertaining to, 209, 212, 215, 216, 230, 235n107 Licensing: statutes pertaining to, 212, 213, 214, 214n20, 218 See also Libel— seditious Lindsay, Sir John (Mansfield’s nephew), 10, 321 Llewellyn, Karl, 93, 364 Locke, John, 71 London Office of Insurance, 126–27 London Persecution (1765–71), 243 Lord Provost (Edinburgh), Lords, House of, 9–10, 48, 50, 121–22, 236, 241 criminal conversation, 335 reversal of judicial decisions, 85–86, 90, 164, 194–95 Scottish appeals, See also Commons, House of; Parliament Lotteries, 89, 250 Loughborough, Lord Chancellor (Alexander Wedderburn), 10, 53n166, 116n51, 339, 352, 354 Lowten, Thomas (court officer, arbitrator), 70, 70n256 Lynching, Mackworth, Herbert (juror), 226 Madan, Martin (magistrate), 36–37 Madhouses, Bill for Better Regulation of Private, 10 418 General Index Maloney, Jean Baptiste (Irish priest), 244 Mandamus, writ of, 242 Mansfield, Lady Elizabeth (Elizabeth Finch), 6, 49, 53 Mansfield, first Earl of—biographical birth, country residence (Kenwood), 11, 54, 321 death, 11 education King’s Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn, 3–4 Oxford University, 3–4 Westminster School, 3, family, finances, 47 health, 11 marriage, 6, 53 oratorical skills, Mansfield, first Earl of—political House of Commons member, 6, speeches, 184 House of Lords Insolvency Act, 10 junior counsel, member, 9, 10, 32, 48 Scottish appeals, Speaker, 48 speeches, 9, 121 Jacobitism, accusations of, Privy councillor, 48 Mansfield, first Earl of—professional American law, influence on, 369–70 assize sittings, 11, 36–38, 43, 48, 50–58 Attorney General, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9n32, 27, 31, 32, 48, 60n201, 199nn47, 49, 217–18, 229 Chancellor of the Exchequer, 48 Commissioner of Prize Appeals, 26 common law versus custom, equity, individual justice, 6, 27–29, 33, 101, 102–3, 105–6, 113, 122, 151, 163, 175, 247, 363n33 counsel, 4, 5, 102, 107, 180, 199, 218n44, 336 Chancery practice, 6, 27, 102, 366 colonial causes, House of Commons bar, Porteous affair, criminal law judge, 34–42 Exchequer Chamber sittings, 48 judicial philosophy and objectives authors, protection of, 191–95 certainty, 34, 102, 120, 122, 124–25, 140, 151, 163, 227, 363 contract morality of transaction, 92–93, 103, 105–6 quasi-, rationalized, 87–93, 106, 364 warranty of quality, 93–99 custom and usage, 367–68 free trade principles, 184, 205 intent of parties, 174–75, 176 contract, 79–80, 84–87 insurance, 130 property and wills, 357, 358–60 usury, 174–75, 176 mercantile/commercial interests, support for, 14, 20, 32–33, 41, 85–86, 113, 124–25, 135, 163–64, 174, 183, 185–87, 197, 201, 235, 263, 300, 308, 324, 342, 347, 354–55, 364–65, 367–68 precedent, 29–31, 64, 121, 129, 160, 211, 217, 235, 326, 366–68 property real, 358 rights, marriage, 324–25, 329 slaves, 311–13, 316, 318–19 religious toleration, 241, 243, 246–47, 367 standard of reasonableness, 257–58 statutory interpretation and construction, 31–34, 113–15, 141–45, 188, 191–95, 205, 236, 244–46, 362–63, 367 juries corruption of court officers, 19–20 inconveniences, 16–17, 58 instructions to, 17, 18, 94, 104, 139–40, 196, 202–4, 229–30, 231, 233, 235, 244, 262–63, 271, 311, 329, 361 merchant, use/development of, 20–22, 22n39, 23n41, 24, 27, 364n2, 368 General Index opinion of, 17–18, 75 relationship with, 16–27 seditious libel, law/fact determinations in, 211, 217–30 selection, 19–20, 23–25 special, 18–19, 21, 22–27, 25nn51–52, 59, 70n256, 74–75, 125, 235, 368 verdicts See Procedure, trial—verdicts jurisdictional determinations, 177–79, 181–82 Old Bailey sittings, 38–42, 48 prisoner treatment, 37–38 procedural reforms See Procedure, trial Serjeant-at-Law, 12 Solicitor General, 6, 7, 8, 9n32, 31, 38, 39, 66, 165, 169, 173, 174, 184, 217–18, 227, 356n1 Mansfield, Chief Justice James (counsel), 112n27 Marener, James (publisher), 220 Marlborough, Duchess of, 172–73 Marriage, 30–31, 32n76, 324–42 age of consent, 331 breach of promise, 324, 328–34, 341 civil consequences, 324 class distinctions, 341–42 contractual nature of, 333 damages, 329, 330, 332–34 enforceability, 330–32 in pari delicto, 332 structural sufficiency, 330 tortious implications, 333 turpis contractus, 332 verdicts given, 333–34, 341 class distinctions, 334 criminal conversation, 5, 7, 17, 23, 26, 30, 205, 327, 334–41, 342 affirmative defense, 338–39 damages, 336–41, 342 loss of consortium, 334, 340, 342 procedures, 336–41 related to divorce, 335–36 tortious implications, 324 trespass action, 334 evidence of, 337 Fleet, 332n43 separation during, 325, 326, 327 419 statutes pertaining to, 31, 32, 332 ‘‘unity-of-the-persons’’ theory, 325, 342 women, debt recovery against, 104 See also Divorce; Feme covert; Feme sole Marshall, Chief Justice John (U.S.), 370 Marshalsea Prison (London), 272 Martin, Justice John, 81 Master and servant, 84, 299 Master and slave, 305–6, 309, 314, 317 See also Slavery; Slaves Master in Chancery (office), 199 Master of the Crown Office, 72 Master of the Rolls (office), 173 Mayor’s Court (London), 93, 93–94n81, 98–99, 100n113 ‘‘Medmenham Monks,’’ 233n101 Merchants, 246 customs, 27, 158, 365, 368 debtors, 112 use of, 105, 235 See also Juries—merchant Meres, John (publisher), 231 Misdemeanors, 26, 34, 35, 44, 57, 72, 252, 260, 311n31 Money had and received See Common counts Money laid out and expended See Common counts Money lent and advanced See Common counts Monopolies, 203–4 statute pertaining to, 197 See also Patent Montagu, John See Sandwich, Earl of Montesquieu, Baron de (Charles-Louis Secondat), 239 Moore, William (publisher), 220 Moreton, William (Recorder of London), 42n123 Mortgages, 168 Morton, John (Crown counsel), 226n70 Mosaic law, 166 Motions in arrest of judgment, 43, 211, 230n86, 253, 268n1, 330 Murder, 40n114 Murphy, Arthur (actor, barrister), 112n27 Murray, Anne (Mansfield’s grandniece), 321 420 General Index Murray, David (Mansfield’s nephew) See Stormont, Viscount Murray, Elizabeth (Mansfield’s grandniece), 321 Murray, James (Mansfield’s brother), 4n12 Murray, William See Mansfield, first Earl of Nares, Justice George, 70, 195n27 Nares, John (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Negligence, 26, 262, 276–91, 364 actions between strangers, 278, 287, 288–90 assumpsit, 279, 280, 286 collision cases, 288–89 contributory, 289 criminal actions, 282 customs of the realm, 277–78, 283–85, 286, 287, 288 duty of care, 277–83, 287, 288, 291 attorneys, 279–81, 282 common carriers, 278, 281–82, 283–86, 286n59, 287 innkeepers, 277, 278, 285–86 public officials, 277 surgeons, 277, 279–81 evidence, 283n42 implied promise, 279, 283 injury sustained, 277 liability based on contract principles, 278, 286 strict, 287 theory, 277 warrantor’s, 285n51 misfeasance, 277, 290 nonfeasance, 277, 290 origins in trespass on the case, 276–77, 278–80, 290–91, 292 private carriers, 283–85 ‘‘running down’’ cases, 290 scienter requirement, 288, 288n71 statutes pertaining to, 279n19, 279–80n23 tort/contract differentiation, 283–87 Negotiable instruments, 41, 75, 102, 105, 115, 152–64, 300, 365 characteristics, 152 See also Bills of exchange; Promissory notes Newcastle, Duke of (Thomas PelhamHolles), 6–9, 217n40, 231 Newgate Ordinary, 42 Newgate Prison (London), 60n205, 268 Nisi prius, 18n21, 25, 44, 51n161, 52n162, 54, 55, 57, 62, 70n255, 124n2, 127, 181, 272, 282, 295, 296 Nonconformists See Religious toleration North Briton (publication), 222, 224 Northington, Earl of (Robert Henley) (Lord Chancellor), 310 Norton, Sir Fletcher (Attorney General), 210 Nottingham, first Earl of (Heneage Finch), Novel disseisin, assize of, 248 Nudum pactum, 85, 85n38, 86, 90, 331 Nuisance, 26, 72, 248–59, 260, 260–61n2, 364 abatement, 249, 252, 259 actionable, 257 arbitration, use of, 248, 255 assize of, 249 burden of proof, 251 compromises, 257, 258 damages, 249, 251 definition by Blackstone, 251–52 evidence required, 256 geographic location, 256 land, competing interests in, 248–49, 251–53, 254, 257–58 limitations, 249 origins, 248–52 pollution, 256, 258 Judge Richard Posner on, 258 private/public distinction, 250–52, 259 standard of reasonableness, 257–58 zoning function, 252–53 See also Trespass Nutt, Richard (printer), 220 Officials, public defendants, 261 descriptions, 261 Old Bailey, 12, 26n55, 34, 38–39, 39n108, 40, General Index 41–43, 57–58, 58n192, 60, 121, 245, 260 Outlawry, 221n57, 222n58, 311–12n31 Oyer and Terminer, Court of, 12, 60n205 Pandects ( Justinian), 4, 99, 367 Papists See Catholics Pardons See Procedure, trial—pardons Parker, Baron Thomas (Exchequer), 56– 57n183 Parliament, 5, 7, 10, 22n39, 32n76, 50, 145, 232n94, 236–37, 267, 300n55, 360n20 legislation bankruptcy, 108, 110 copyright, 191, 192 insurance, 126, 141, 145, 147 labor and employment, 345–46 perjury, 272 private acts, 335–36 property and wills, 360n20 slavery, 306 trade, 184, 187 usury, 169 See also Commons, House of; Lords, House of Parnell, Robert (prosecutor), 272 Partnership, limited, 167 Passing off See Trademark Patent, 26, 190, 197–205, 364 annulling, 202 application procedure, 199, 199n47 contractual nature of, 199, 200–201, 205 court jurisdiction, 198–99 infringement, relief of equitable, 204–5 injunctive, 204–5 law of prior publication, 198 origins, 197–98 remedies, 204 reputation damage, 204, 205 requirement of novelty, 202–4 revocation, 200, 201–2 specification doctrine, 198–200, 201 statutes pertaining to, 197 validity, 201n55, 202 See also Copyright; Trademark 421 Paul, Dr G (civil lawyer), Paymaster General (office), 66 Payne, William (informing constable), 243–45 Pelham, Henry, Pelham-Holles, Thomas See Newcastle, Duke of Perjury, 10, 18, 20, 26, 29, 224n63, 263, 268–75, 353 bail falsifying, 273, 274 capital punishment contemplated, 268, 274 evidence required, 269, 271 false oaths, 269 swearing, 268 ‘‘Jew bail,’’ 273n31 private prosecutions, 271 statutes pertaining to, 268, 272 ‘‘testimony-for-hire,’’ 273 Philipps, Alexander (counsel), 222n58 Pitt, William See Chatham, first Earl of Pontius Pilate, 14, 60n206 Poor laws, 34 Pope, Alexander, 4, 222n62 Porteous, Captain John, Portland, Duchess of, 321–22n74 Positive law, 241, 315–16, 318, 323 Pratt, Charles See Camden, first Earl of Precedent, 29–31 binding, 365–66, 367, 368 Presbyterians, 236, 237n10 Prime, Serjeant Samuel, 254–56 Privateers, 179–80, 182 See also Prize Private law, 365 Privy Council, 48, 198–99, 199n47 Prize, 177–84, 367 international laws pertaining to, 177, 179, 184 jurisdiction common-law, 178 competing courts, 177–79 ransom bills, 182–84, 189 Prize Court, 179–80, 189 jurisdiction determination, 180–82 procedures, 179–80 Procedure, trial 422 General Index abuses, 60–61 adversarial, 62 arbitration, 69–73, 248 at bar, 18, 59n198, 362 attorney excesses, 61 bail hearings, 43 case expedition, 60–61, 68, 129 conduct of, 42–43 contempt process, 72 double jeopardy, 58 judgment non obstante veredicto, 76 jury, civil (U.S.), 369 libel cases, 209 new trials, 16, 18, 21, 27n56, 28, 43, 73–74, 74n282, 75, 104n137, 135, 138, 186, 202, 227–28, 230, 312, 361 nonsuits, 30, 68, 73, 76, 96, 117n59, 146n140, 190n4, 201n56, 205, 216n31, 280, 318, 327, 336, 340 pardons, 40n113 conditional, 55, 55n179, 244n51 free, 55n179 pleas, special, 71 reform, 235 remanet, 68 reprieves, 5, 40, 55–56, 55n179 Scottish, 16 sentencing hearings, 43 settlement, encouragement of, 73–74, 257–58, 313 strategy, pre-trial, 67–68 verdicts acquittal by consent, 73 agreement by rule, 73 conditional, 68, 69 directed, 68, 76 general, 128, 219, 224, 227, 311 hybrid, 68–69 improper, 73 juror withdrawn, 72 qualified, 227 special, 16, 175, 182n25, 211, 311, 312 subject to award, 69 unconditional, 73 See also Juries; Witnesses witness competence/credibility, 62–65 Prohibition, writ of, 26, 178, 180, 182 Promissory notes, 25–26, 28, 88, 327, 365 compared to bills of exchange, 152, 155, 157–58, 159–61 definition, 154 gaming, 64n228 statute pertaining to, 158–59, 161, 163 See also Bills of exchange; Negotiable instruments Property, real, 358 Property and wills, 356–63 conveyances, 357 covenant, 360, 361–62 devise Catholics, 243 property, 356 ejectment, 362 estate tail, 357 freehold, 357 judicial discretion, 359 privity of contract, 361 estate, 361 statute pertaining to, 359 taxation and property rights, 364 testators, 275n36 competency, 362 intent, 358, 359, 360, 360n20 testimony, 362 trusts, 358, 363n33 wills, probate, 90n64 witness competency, 360n20 Property rights, economic theory of, 258 Prostitution, 244, 260, 319 Protestant Association, 246 Protestant Dissenters, 237–39, 240–43, 246 disabilities against, 237 excommunication of, 240 See also Religious toleration Protestants See Religious toleration Puffendorf, Samuel von, 367 Qui tam action, 99n110, 260, 347 Ransom bills See Prize Rape, 37 Ravensworth, Lord, General Index Raymond, Chief Justice Robert, 293–94, 310n20, 330–31 Recorder, City of London (office), 22–23 Reeve, Thomas (counsel), 331n38 Regrating, 260, 266 definition, 263, 265 statutes pertaining to, 35 See also Engrossing; Forestalling Religious toleration, 236–47, 267, 367 conformity, occasional, 237n10 nonconformists, 236, 241 active, 236–37 passive, 236–37 oaths allegiance, 238 supremacy, 238 transubstantiation, 238 public officials, 236, 237 statutes pertaining to, 236–43, 246 Reports, reliability of, 30–31, 127n23, 314–17, 366 Reprieves See Procedure, trial—reprieves Requests, Court of See Conscience, Court of Riddell, John, 320 Right, writ of nuisance, 248 quod permittat, 248 Rioting, 11, 47, 151, 236, 242n39, 246, 260, 261, 271n13, 282, 351, 353 Riotous assembly, 260–61n2 Robbery, 262 Robinson, Thomas (Secretary of State), 217n40 Rochford, Earl of (William Henry Zuylestein), 244n51 Rockingham, Marquis of (Charles WatsonWentworth), 27n59, 210–11n5 Rodney, Admiral George, 182 Roman law, 174, 215, 359–60, 367 Ross, Sir James, 148 Rutland, Duke of (John Manners), 47 Ryder, Sir Dudley Attorney General, 6, 54n174, 56n183, 173–74, 185, 218, 231, 232 Chief Justice, 6, 8, 9, 51, 62, 72, 217, 240, 253–54, 256 423 diaries, 7, 7nn24–25, 9nn32–33, 40, 47, 48, 50, 52, 54–55, 60 Sales law, codification of, 364n2 Salisbury, Lady, 234 Sandwich, Earl of ( John Montagu), 233, 234, 234n101 Sawyer, Dr (civil lawyer), 331n38 Sayer, Serjeant Joseph, 58 Scandalum magnatum, 209, 213–14n19, 216 See also Libel—seditious Scienter, 288, 288n71 Scott, Sir Walter, 5n19 Scott, William See Stowell, Baron Search warrants, 295 Seasons, The (poem) (Thompson), 191 Secondat, Charles-Louis (Baron de Montesquieu), 239 Seduction, 10, 333 Serjeant-at-Law (office), 12, 16, 47–48, 50, 51, 57, 70 ‘‘Serjeant Labyrinth.’’ See Hill, Serjeant George Session, Court of (Scotland), 122 Sessions, courts of general, 12 London, 12, 235 petty, 12 quarter, 12, 266–67 Sharp, Granville (abolitionist), 305, 308n11, 311, 313–14, 315, 321 Sharpe, Jonathan (Treasury Solicitor), 217, 218n41, 220 Sheffield, Earl of ( John Baker-Holroyd), 306, 308, 313n37 Sheriff (office), 299–300, 301 Sheriffs’ courts, 93–94n81 Shipley, William (Dean of St Asaph), 228, 230n86 Shower, Sir Bartholomew (counsel), 158 Skynner, Lord Chief Baron John, 85n38 Slavery, 296, 305–23 abolition(ists), 305, 308, 313n37, 323 de facto, 322 de jure, 322 habeas corpus, writ of, 306, 311, 313, 319 legality of contracts, 305 424 General Index mercantile issue, 305–6, 308, 313 statute pertaining to, 322 Slaves cargo, 21, 306, 318 contracts, 305–6, 317–18, 319 ‘‘farming,’’ 306n6 manumission, 313 property, 308, 309, 312 recovery trespass, 309 trover, 309, 310 Smeaton, John (arbitrator), 64, 64n231 Smith, Adam, 266, 308n8 Smuggling, 188 Smythe, Baron Sidney Stafford (Exchequer), 40n112, 42n123, 48, 53, 54n171 Sodomy, 262, 263n21 Solicitor General (office), 6, 7, 9n32, 16, 31, 67, 199, 232n94, 269 Somers, John (Lord Keeper), 183n29 Somerset, James (slave), 313, 318–19n65, 321, 323 St Asaph, Dean of See Shipley, William St John, Frederick, 93n77 Star Chamber, Court of, 212, 215–16 Stare decisis, 199, 366 Statute of limitations, 86 Stewart, Charles, 320 Stone, Andrew (Mansfield’s friend), 8, 11, 38 Stormont, Viscount (David Murray, Mansfield’s nephew), 11, 306 Story, Justice Joseph (U.S.), 152, 364 Stowell, Baron (William Scott), 177, 177n3 Strange, Sir John (Solicitor General), Stuart, James (Old Pretender), Suicide, 139n100 Sumner, Lord John Andrew Hamilton, 89n56 Supreme Court (U.S.), 369 Talbot, Lord Chancellor Charles, 172, 310 ‘‘Tales de circumstantibus,’’ 18 Taxes excise, 53n166 income, 363 Taylor, Robert (publisher), 194 Templer, James (Master of the Crown Office), 72 Testimony, 68 expert, 64–65 admissibility of, 64 uncontradicted, 17 See also Evidence Thompson, James (poet), 191, 194–95 Thoughts on Executive Justice (Madan), 36 Thurlow, Lord Chancellor Edward, 369–70 Trade, 184–88 artificers, 187–88 customs/duties, 188 enemies in wartime, 185–89 import/export restrictions, 187 statutes pertaining to, 187–88, 367 Trade combinations, 343, 355 agitators/organizers, 353, 354 civil actions against, 351–52 conspiracy, common law of, 344, 348–50, 351, 352 criminal penalties, 344 free trade concepts, 349 indictable at common law, 349–50 penalties imposed, 345, 352–54 procedure for prosecution, 345, 354 remedies against, 351, 352 restraint of trade, 348, 349 statutes pertaining to, 344, 345–47, 348n25, 349, 350, 350n37, 351–54 tailors, 348–49 wage regulation, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 355 See also Labor and employment Trademark, 190, 190n4, 191, 195–97, 201 common law rights, 196 compared to copyright, 197 damages awarded, 196–97 deceit, 196 reputation damage, 195–96, 197, 205 See also Copyright; Patent Trade unions, 351 Transportation (punishment), 38, 40n113, 42n124, 55, 244n51, 272–73n28, 273, 325n4 Treason, 41, 209, 213, 213–14n19 General Index statute pertaining to, 214n20 Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Marine (French/Dutch), 136n83 Trespass, 18, 26, 69, 81, 181, 292–96 ab initio, 294–95 action of, 81 action on the case, 69, 79–81, 87, 249, 252, 277–78, 279, 280, 281, 290–91, 293, 300, 319 words, 214, 232, 234 blameworthiness, defendant’s, 296 burden of proof, 295n22 contra pacem regis, 80 damages, consequential, 294 de bonis asportatis (goods), 292, 298, 300 direct/indirect distinction, 290, 293–95 fault, role of, 295–96 doctrinal exceptions, 295–96 intention, 295 ‘‘inevitable accident,’’ 296 intent requirement, 292 wrongful, 292 involuntary, 295–96 nonviolent, 293 origins, 292–93n4, 293n10 per quod servitium amisit, 309 See also Slavery to person, 292 ‘‘privileged,’’ 301 quaere captivum suum cepit, 309 See also Slavery quare clausem fregit (land), 292 quasi-criminal allegations, 293 vi et armis (with force and arms), 80, 249, 293, 296, 300 writ of, 80, 293 Trial procedure See Procedure, trial Trover, 53, 68, 69, 157, 292, 296–300 action of, 53, 117 asportation, 298n43 blameworthiness, 298, 299, 301 conversion, 297–98 wrongful definition, 298–300 disposition, 298, 301 remedy, 298 425 definition, 297–98 detinue alternative, 297–98 fault, role of, 299n48, 301 form of action on the case, 297 See also Trespass legal fiction, 296–97, 300, 301 liability, strict, 299, 301 Twitcher, Jemmy See Sandwich, Earl of Udney, George (merchant), 70n256 Unconscionability doctrine, 365 Uniform Commercial Code (U.S.), 364n2, 369 Uniform Sales Act (U.S.), 100, 100n113 Unjust enrichment doctrine, 103–5 Usury, 64n228, 110, 165–76 Blackstone on, 165–66 Coke on, 165 contract, freedom of, 174 equitable relief, 172, 173–74 exceptions contracts annuity, 172, 174–75 justifiable, 168 hazard, 167, 171, 173 intention of parties, 171, 172 interest as valid consideration, 168, 169, 170, 171 origins, 165–69 religious proscriptions, 162n47, 165–66 statutes pertaining to, 32–33, 162n47, 165–69, 171, 172, 174–75 Vaughan, Chief Justice John, 170n26 Vaux, Edward (juror), 20 Verdicts See Procedure, trial—verdicts Wagering See Insurance—compared to wagering Wager of law, 80, 82–83 Wages, action for, 18, 318 Wallace, James (Solicitor General), 14, 220n52, 308n10, 318 Walpole, Robert, 230 Walsingham, Baron See DeGrey, Chief Justice William Warranty, 93–102, 105, 155 426 General Index breach of, 81 compliance, substantial, 148 enforceable, 100 express, 94, 95, 96, 100n113, 101, 124, 133, 134 horse/nonhorse, 94–98, 101 implied, 95–98, 98n105, 100n113, 124, 134 insurance breach of, 124, 130, 132–37 compared to representation, 133–34, 136, 149, 149–50n156 convoy, 134–35, 136 definition, 132 good health, 148–50 implied, 97, 134 neutrality, 134, 136, 137 seaworthiness, 65, 97, 125, 134, 139 shifting burden of proof, 149 time of sailing, 134, 136 merchantability, 96–98, 100n113 misrepresentation/noncompliance, 147, 148 quality, 93, 97, 98–99, 364n2 soundness, 96, 98 See also Contracts; Insurance Watson-Wentworth, Charles See Rockingham, Marquis of Watt, James (inventor), 202n63 Webb, Philip Carteret (Treasury Solicitor), 18, 224n63, 271 Wedderburn, Alexander See Loughborough, Lord Chancellor Westminster School, 3, Whitaker, John (Summoning Officer), 20 White, John (pamphleteer), 240 Wilkes, John: prosecutions, 221–24, 233– 34n101, 271 Willes, Edward (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Willes, Justice Edward, 53n167, 144n131, 183n32, 229, 268, 274 Willes, Chief Justice John, 48, 54 William III, 161 Wills See Property and wills Wilmot, David ( Justice of the Peace), 36, 36nn98–99 Wilmot, Edward (bankruptcy commissioner), 112n27 Wilmot, Justice John Eardley, 4, 11, 42n123, 56, 57, 227–28n76, 271n13, 317 judicial opinions, 210n4, 211, 230n87, 279–80 Wilson, John (counsel), 67 Witnesses, 67, 68 common, 135 competency of, 61, 61n209, 62, 63, 71, 360n20 credibility of, 63 for hire, 273 interested, 61n209, 71n267, 359 merchant, 368 religious restrictions, 236 testimony of, 59, 62, 64 See also Evidence; Religious toleration; Testimony Women criminals, 40n116, 56, 327 married, debt recovery against, 104 prosecutrix, 38, 61, 311, 312n36 rioters, 271n13 spinsters, 329 See also Abortion; Divorce; Feme covert; Feme sole; Marriage; Prostitution; Rape; Seduction; Slavery Wood, Thomas (treatise author), 365 Woodfall, Henry Sampson (publisher), 220–21n53 Words trespass on the case, 214, 232, 234 See also Defamation; Libel Work and labor performed See Common counts Wray, Chief Justice Christopher, 250 Writs See individual writs Yates, Justice Joseph, 194n21, 269, 271n13, 287, 325n4 Yorke, Philip See Hardwicke, Earl of Zong (slave ship), 318n62 Zuylestein, William Henry, 244n51 ... Lord Mansfield, painting by John Singleton Copley, 1783 (Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London) English Common Law in the Age of Mansfield by james oldham The University of North Carolina... Evidence [there was] no contradiction I directed the Jury from the Injustice of the Demand upon the State of it to find against the Plaintiff, but they found for the wages, & then named the sum There... cases for the opinion of the Court; not only for the greater satisfaction of the parties in the particular cause, but to prevent other disputes, by making the rules of the law and the ground