to refer to former adjudications, as far as they came within his knowledge, whenever they were supported, or overruled, by the cases he has reported.
The cases decided in 1805, and 1806, and in the spring term 1807, were extracted from the order-book of the court, and the records filed. In the fall term 1807, he commenced his practice in that court; and, from that period, took notes of the arguments of the counsel concerned: and has given them, where he deemed it serviceable. Toward the latter part of the work, he found that it was swelling to a larger size than was convenient for one volume; and, on that account, omitted some arguments that he had intended inserting.
The backwardness manifested by the legislature of 1808, to carry into effect the law of 1807, was one cause of the work being so long delayed. But since the passage of the act of 1809, (ch. 142) no time has been lost in presenting it to the public: although it has taken more time to procure the paper, and complete the printing, than the author had expected.
He has, since the period at which this volume closes, taken notes of the arguments of counsel, and the adjudications of the court; but whether he will be induced to digest them into the form of another volume, will depend upon the disposition which the public may manifest on the subject.
Frankfort, September 24th, 1810.
☞ THE acts of assembly have been cited by the year in which the session commenced in which they were passed. The fifth legislature held two sessions; one in 1796, the other in 1797; and the acts of both sessions were printed together: these have been cited as acts of "1796–7." The chapters have been referred to by their number in the printed copy of each session.
The decisions of the court of appeals, printed under the act of 1804, (ch. 71) have been referred to by the abbreviation, Pr. Dec.
The quere at the end of the note in page 149, was added by the late Chief Justice, Bibb.
