Thomas Todd

“ It is a general principle to presume that public officers act correctly until the contrary be shown. It must, therefore, be presumed that the officer, when he surveyed McDowell's entry, in Reed's name, had sufficient evidence produced to satisfy him that Reed was the owner of it, and this presumption is increased by the act of another officer in issuing the grant ”

“ Under the laws of North Carolina for appropriating the vacant lands, an entry is made with the entry taker before a warrant issues: the warrant describes the land specified in the entry: the special or locative calls for appropriation of the land can be seen and examined as well from a view of the warrant as from the entry. ”

“ In consequence of various frauds respecting warrants, they were by law to be submitted to a board of commissioners, and if decided to be valid, the original was deposited with the commissioner, and copies, certified by the clerk, were to be received in evidence. ”