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1 Super. Ct. Jud. 4

Ingraham v. Cook

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided August 15, 1762

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1762-08-15

In this case, Ingraham, the Plaintiff indorsed the Writ. It was urged by the Council for the Defendant, before the Trial, that Ingraham was gone in the Army, had no Estate, and could not answer the Costs. It was said contra, that a new Indorser A never ordered but in the Case of absconding in-Colvent Debtors, and that the Plaintiff was in the Pay of the Government.

Relies on Oystead v. Shed

Decided 1762-08-15

¶1But

the Court

¶2ruled, that a new Indorser ought to be found in every Case where it could be made to appear to the Court that there was Danger the present Indorser could not answer Costs. But a Witness was produced who knew the Plaintiff to have a considerable Sum of Money at Interest; upon which the Motion was silenced. (1)

¶3(1) The Prov. Sts. of 1 Geo. 1 and 1 Geo. 2 (Anc. Chart. 406, 466) provided for the indorsement of all writs by the plaintiff or attorney, but contained no provision for finding a new indorser in any case. The St. of 1784, c. 28, provided in addition, that where the plaintiff was not an inhabitant of the State, he should procure a sufficient indorser who was, and also that where the writ was indorsed by plaintiff’s attorney, if such attorney was shown to be of insufficient ability, a new indorser should be ordered. This act was repealed by St. 1833, c. 50, which contains the provisions substantially reënacted by the Rev Sts. c. 90, § 10, (Gen. Sts.; 123, § 20; c. 129, § 29,) viz., making the indorsement a condition precedent only where the plaintiff is not an inhabitant of the State, and giving the Court discretionary power to require it wherever it appears reasonable. But it seems that mere poverty of the plaintiff will not be considered sufficient cause for such requirement, in the absence of vexation or oppression. Per Shaw, C. J., 21 Pick. 212. An indorser will be required where the plaintiff removes from the State during the pendency of the action. 8 Mass. 272. 1 Gray, 114. But the removal of a foreign plaintiff into the State does not have the effect to discharge the indorser. 8 Met. 149.

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