Phillips v. Ives

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Huston, J.

This was an action brought on a wager, evidenced ?iy a writing in the words following:

“ May the 14th, 1821. This day Stephen Ives bet one hundred dollars to fifty dollars, with John Phillips, that Napoleon Bonaparte will, at or before the expiration of two years from, the above date, be removed or escape from the island of St. Helena. It is understood between the parties, that if Bonaparte should die within the above period of two years, and on the island’of St. Helena, that Mr. Ives loses the bet.”

(Signed by the parties.)

Bonaparte did die on…