University of Virginia Library

4507. LAW, Intention of.—

Whenever
the words of a law will bear two meanings,
one of which will give effect to the law, and
the other will defeat it, the former must be
supposed to have been intended by the Legislature,
because they could not intend that
meaning, which would defeat their intention,
in passing that law; and in a statute, as in a
will, the intention of the party is to be sought
after.—
To Albert Gallatin. Washington ed. v, 328.
(M. July. 1808)