John McLean, Walden v. Bodley — Opinion of the Court
“ It is true, the answer prays merely for a dissolution of the injunction, and that the bill may be dismissed. But the Court have, by the bill, answer, and evidence, the equities of the parties before them; and having jurisdiction of the main points, they may settle the whole matter. A Court of Equity cannot act upon a case which is not fairly made by the bill and answer. ”
John McLean, Walden v. Bodley — Opinion of the Court
“ Under the general prayer for relief, the Court will often extend relief beyond the specific prayer, and not exactly in accordance with it. Where a case for relief is made in the bill, it may be given by imposing conditions on the complainant consistently with the rules of equity, in the discretion of the Court.In their decree, the Circuit Court required Walden to surrender the possession of the land he was directed to release to the complainants; and the Court had, unquestionably, the power to decree a surrender of the possession to Walden, by the tenants of the land recovered by him. ”
John McLean, Walden v. Bodley — Opinion of the Court
“ And we are inclined to this view, from the consideration, that by this mode of procedure, the rights of the parties concerned could in no respect be prejudiced. They were as susceptible of as distinct an investigation and decision, as if the pleadings had been fully made up in each case, and it had been heard separately. ”
