Williams v. Peyton's Lessee

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Chief Justice Marshall.

This is an ejectment brought in the Circuit Court for the district of Kentucky, by the original patentee, against a purchaser at a sale made for non-payment of the direct tax, imposed by the act of Congress of the 14th of July, 1798, c. 92. After the plaintiff in the Circuit Court had exhibited his title, the defendants gave in evidence the books of the supervisor of the district, showing, that the tax on the lands in controversy had been charged to the plaintiffs, and that they had been sold for the non-payment thereof. They…