Whether a Roman Catholic Clergyman be in any case compellable to disclose the secrets of Auricular Confession. Decided at the Court of General Sessions, in the City of New-York. PRESENT, The Honorable De Witt Clinton, Mayor. The Honorable Josiah Ogden Hoffman, Recorder. Isaac S. Douglass, With the Arguments of Counsel, and the unanimous opinion of the Court, delivered by the Mayor, with his reasons in support of that opinion. REPORTED BY WILLIAM SAMPSON, Esq. NEW-YORK: Printed by Edward Gillespy, No. 24 William-street. 1813, PREFACE. The general satisfaction given to every religious denomination, by the decision of this interesting question, is well calculated to dissipate antiquated prejudices, and religious jealousies, and the Reporter feels no common satisfaction in making it public. When this adjudication shall be compared with the baneful statutes and judgments in Europe, upon similar subjects, the superior equity and wisdom of American jurisprudence and civil probity will be felt, and it cannot fail to be well received by the enlightened and virtuous of every community, and will constitute a document of history, precious and instructive to the present and future generations. |