Knox v. Lee
Encyclopedia
Knox v. Lee, 79 U.S. 457
(1871), was an important case for its time where the Supreme Court of the United States
reversed Hepburn v. Griswold
(1870). The Court held that making paper money
legal tender through the Legal Tender Act did not conflict with Article One of the United States Constitution
.
Mrs. Lee was a loyal citizen of the United States whose flock of sheep was sold by the Confederate army as they considered Mrs. Lee an 'alien enemy'. Mr. Knox purchased the sheep from the Confederate army and Mrs. Lee brought suit for trespass
and conversion
. The Court instructed the jury that whatever amount they awarded could be paid with legal tender notes of the United States
. Mr. Knox appealed, as he contended that this instruction was equivalent to telling the jury
to add a premium for the discount of paper currency relative to specie
.
The case Parker v. Davis was resolved in the same decision where Davis wished to compel specific performance
requiring Parker to convey a lot to Davis in return for payment of money. The Court decreed that Davis should pay money into the Court and Parker was to execute a deed to Davis. Davis paid United States notes, but Parker refused to execute a deed, claiming that he was entitled to receive coin.
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
(1871), was an important case for its time where the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
reversed Hepburn v. Griswold
Hepburn v. Griswold
Hepburn v. Griswold, 75 U.S. 603 , was a Supreme Court of the United States case in which the Chief Justice, Salmon P. Chase, speaking for the Court, declared certain parts of the legal tender acts to be unconstitutional...
(1870). The Court held that making paper money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
legal tender through the Legal Tender Act did not conflict with Article One of the United States Constitution
Article One of the United States Constitution
Article One of the United States Constitution describes the powers of Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The Article establishes the powers of and limitations on the Congress, consisting of a House of Representatives composed of Representatives, with each state gaining or...
.
Mrs. Lee was a loyal citizen of the United States whose flock of sheep was sold by the Confederate army as they considered Mrs. Lee an 'alien enemy'. Mr. Knox purchased the sheep from the Confederate army and Mrs. Lee brought suit for trespass
Trespass
Trespass is an area of tort law broadly divided into three groups: trespass to the person, trespass to chattels and trespass to land.Trespass to the person, historically involved six separate trespasses: threats, assault, battery, wounding, mayhem, and maiming...
and conversion
Conversion
-Economy and Finance:* Currency conversion or exchange rate* Conversion , one of the options strategies* Economic conversion-Law:* Conversion , conversion by taking a chattel out of the possession of another with the intent of exercising a permanent or temporary dominion over it, despite the...
. The Court instructed the jury that whatever amount they awarded could be paid with legal tender notes of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Mr. Knox appealed, as he contended that this instruction was equivalent to telling the jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
to add a premium for the discount of paper currency relative to specie
Bullion coin
A bullion coin is a coin struck from precious metal and kept as a store of value or an investment, rather than used in day-to-day commerce. Investment coins are generally coins that have been minted after 1800, have a purity of not less than 900 thousandths and are or have been a legal tender in...
.
The case Parker v. Davis was resolved in the same decision where Davis wished to compel specific performance
Specific performance
Specific performance is an order of a court which requires a party to perform a specific act, usually what is stated in a contract. It is an alternative to award/ for awarding damages, and is classed as an equitable remedy commonly used in the form of injunctive relief concerning confidential...
requiring Parker to convey a lot to Davis in return for payment of money. The Court decreed that Davis should pay money into the Court and Parker was to execute a deed to Davis. Davis paid United States notes, but Parker refused to execute a deed, claiming that he was entitled to receive coin.