COURTS relating to immovable property within their jurisdiction are held bindit,i where. And the rule is the same with re Bard to movables actually within their juris diction. Story, Confl. Laws, 0 592; 1 Green leaf, Ev. 0 541.
Thus, admiralty proceedings in rem are held conclusive everywhere if the court had a rightful jurisdiction founded on actual pos session of the subject-matter. 4 Cranch, 241, 293, 433 ; 7 id. 423 ; 9 id. 126 ; 4 Johns. N. Y. 34. 3 Sumn. C. C. 600 ; 1 Stor. C. C. 157 ; 1 Johns. Cas. N. Y. 341 ; 1 Harr. & J. Md. 142 ; 1 Binn. Penn. 299 ; 3 id. 220 ; 6 Mass. 277 ; 7 id. 275.
But such decree may be avoided for matter apparently erroneous on the face of the record, 7 Term, 523 ; 8 id. 444 ; 1 Caines, Cas. N. Y. 21; or if there be an ambiguity as to grounds of condemnation. 7 Bingh. 495 ; 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 0 541, xi.; 14 Cow. N. Y. 520, n. 3 ; 2 Kent, Comm. 120.
Proceedings undcr the garnishee process are held proceedings in rem; and a decree may be pleaded in bar of an action against the trustee or garnishee. 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 0 542 ; 4 Cow. N. Y. 520, n. But the court must have rightful jurisdiction over the res to make the judgment binding; and then it will be effect ual only as to the res, unless the court had actual jurisdiction over the person also. 31 Me. 314 ; 7 B. Monr. Ky. 376 ; 9 Mass. 498 ; Story, Confl. Laws, 0 592 ; Greenleaf, Ev. 542.
14. Foreign judgments are admitted as conclusive evidence of all matters directly involved in the case decided, where the same question is brought up incidentally. 1 Green leaf, Ev. 0 547, and note; 12 Pick. Mass. 572 ; 7 Bost. Law Rep. 461.
It seems to 'be the better opinion that judg ments in personam regular on their face, which are sought to be enforced in another country,. are conclusive evidence, subject to a re-examination, in the courts where the new action is brought, only for irregularity, fraud, or lack ofjurisdiction as to the cause or parties, 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 0 546 ; Westlake,
P' riv. Int. Law, 372 ; Story, Confl. Laws, 0 607; 2 Swanst. Ch. 325; Dougl. 6, n.; 3 Sim. Ch. 458 ; 6 Q. B. 288 ; 16 id. 717; 4 Munf. Va. 241 ; 15 N. II. 227 ; that they are prime facie evidence merely. See 2 H. Blackst. 410 ; Doug]. 1, 6 ; 3 Maule & S. 20 ; 9 Mass. 462 ; 8 id. 273.
Any foreign judgment may be impeached for error apparent on its face. 21 Barnew. & Ad. 757; 1 Greenleaf, Ev. 0 547, n.
15. Under the United States constitution, " full force and effect" are to be given the decrees of the courts of any state in those of all other states.
This is construed to mean that the judg ments so obtained and properly authenticated shall be conclusive evidence of the rights of the parties, 15 N. H. 227 ; 9 Mass. 467 ; 11 Vt. 425 ; •22 id. 7 Cranch, 481 ; 3 Wheat. 234; 15 Johns. N. Y. 121 ; 11 How. 165 ; 5 Gill & J. Md. 500 ; 7 Ohio, 273 ; 9 Serg.-& R. Penn. 252 ; 4 B. Monr. Ky. 136 ; 13 Ill. 436 ; 12 Ark. 756 ; but not unless actual personal ju risdiction was obtained. 4 Bradf. Surr. N. Y.
174 ; 9 Mass. 467 ; 15 Johns. N. Y. 121 ; 4 Conn. 380 ; 17 id. 500; 6 Pick. Mass. 240 ; 4 Metc. Mass. 333 ; 3 Gray, Mass. 508 ; 11 Vt 425 ; 5 Ill. 536 ; 17 id. 572 ; 4 Harr. Del. 280 ; 2 Blackf. Ind. 108 ; 29 Me. 19 ; 3 Ala. N. s. 552 ; 13 Ohio, 209. And lack of juris diction may undoubtedly be shown even to contradict the record, 13 Gray, Mass. 597; 15 Johns. N. Y. 121 ; 19 id. 162; 3 Binn. Penn. 241; 9 Mass. 467; 4 Cow. N. Y.
292. 4 ill. 241; 1 R. I. 73 ; 2 Ind. 24; 15 415 ; 4 Metc. Mass. 343 ; but see 17 Vt. 302; 4 Harr. Del. 230; and must be shown affirmatively, if the record show ju risdiction on its face. 4 Bradf. Surr. N. Y. 174.
The constitution and rules of comity apply only to civil judgments, and not to criminal decisidns. 17 Mass. 515.