Zuckermandel v. Zuckermandel

In Taylor v. Riggs, 1 Pet. 591; 7 L.Ed. 275, Chief-Justice Marshall stated: "When a written contract is to be proved, not by itself but by parol testimony, no vague, uncertain recollection concerning its stipulations ought to supply the place of the written instrument itself. The substance of the agreement ought to be proven satisfactorily, and if that cannot be done, the party is in the condition of every other suitor in court who makes a claim that he cannot support. When parties reduce their contract to writing the obligations and rights of which are described and limited by the instrument…