Record, travel out of the

To go outside the alleged facts of the case.

1770.  To make use of the legal phrase, they [the Court] cannot travel out of the record.—Lord Chatham. (N.E.D.)

1772.  If I stated the merits of my letter to the King, I should imitate Lord Mansfield, and travel out of the record.—Preface to ‘Junius’s Letters.’ (Id.)

1840.  He will speak to a point that is pertinent, and not travel out of the record.—W. L. Garrison, ‘Life,’ ii. 430. (Id.)

1848.  We are of the opinion that Mr. Prentiss travelled out of the record in the use of the offensive expressions complained of.—Shields, ‘Life of Prentiss,’ p. 402 (1884).