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1 Kirby 207

Phenix v. Prindle

Connecticut Superior Court

Decided February 15, 1787

Connecticut Superior Court · decided 1787-02-15

ActioN of book debt — the general issue pleaded. The •charges exhibited were for sundry articles of merchandise, sold and delivered in New York, at one year’s credit, before the late revolution. — ■ It appeared in evidence, that the course of trade in New York, and the custom of merchants there, was to charge interest on the balance of their accounts, after the expiration of one year, whether there was an express agreement h> that purpose or not.

Decided 1787-02-15

Law, C. J.

¶1I think, upon an implied contract to pay interest, it cannot be recovered in the action of book debt, though it undoubtedly may by an action on the case; because, in the action on book, the oath of the plaintiff is taken, which ought never to be admitted to prove a fact of that kind. .

*209Ellsworth, J.

¶2Where interest is cbailenged on book, the agreement to allow it ought to be proved by other evidence than the oath of the party; (so ought also any special price or mode of payment agreed on, if he would avail himself of it) for his testimony regularly goes no farther than to the quantity, quality, and delivery of the articles charged; — but if he hath evidence to prove an agreement to allow interest, he may recover it in the same action with the debt, and not be put to a separate suit.

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