The minor law books: The minor law books (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1889)

I, 147. DEBTS ; DOCUMENTS. 79
meant for a different purpose, it has to be examined,
in case its genuineness should be suspected, by in-
quiring into the connexion (previously existing
between the two parties) and into the (probability
of) title, and by resorting to reasonable inference.
145. An (obligation which has been stated in)
writing can only be annulled by (another) writing,
and an attested bond by witnesses. A writing is
superior to witnesses; witnesses are not superior
to a writing.
* 146. If a document is split, or torn, or stolen, or
effaced, or lost, or badly written, another document
has to be executed. This is the rule regarding
documents.
11. Witnesses.
* 147. In doubtful cases, when two parties are
quarrelling with one another, the truth has to be
Agama, ‘ a title,’ may be founded on inheritance, purchase, mort-
gaging, seizure, friendship, and acquisition. Helu, ‘reasonable
inference,’ may be founded on reasoning and an efficient cause. A.
For other explanations of the terms agama and hetu in an analo-
gous passage of Yagwavalkya (II, 92), see the Mitakshara. The
Mayukha agrees with Kalyawabha//a.
145. If the debtor states that he has paid the debt, he must be
able to produce an acquittance in the creditor’s handwriting. In
the same way, if the creditor pleads that the bond has been stolen,
or lost, or burnt, &c., he must produce a certificate from the debtor
stating its loss. Where, however, the bond was attested by sub-
scribing witnesses, the debt has to be discharged in the presence of
the same witnesses. A.
146. Where a document has met with any one out of the divers
accidents mentioned in this paragraph, the party by whom it was
executed may be compelled to give another document instead of it.
Yagwavalkya II, 91. Here ends the chapter on documents, the
eighth section of the law of debt. A.
147. When the plaintiff and defendant in a lawsuit quarrel