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18 Wend. 303

Gomez v. Gam

New York Supreme Court

Decided June 15, 1836

New York Supreme Court · decided 1836-06-15

On an affidavit of the defendant that the person of the plaintiff had been exonerated from imprisonment pursuant to law, and that the defendant had not since contracted any debt to him, Judge Edwards made an order that the plaintiff file security for costs within twenty days, or show cause at the next special term of this court; and in the mean time -the plaintiff’s proceedings were stayed.

Decided 1836-06-15

¶1By the Court,

Bronson, J.

¶2The language of the statute is prospective, “ when a suit shall be commenced,” and there may be some doubt whether it will apply to an action commenced before the year 1830. But there is another objection to requiring security in this case. The plaintiff was exonerated from-imprisonment nearly ten years ago ; and there is no proof that he still continues insolvent. The statute provides that the defendant may require security for costs, when a suit shall be brought in the name of any person being insolvent, who shall *304have been discharged from his debts, of whose person shall have- been exonerated from imprisonment. If the discharge had been recent, no further evidence of insolvency would have been necessary: but after the lapse of nine or ten years the party should furnish some further proof of the present inability of the plaintiff to pay his debts. The order requiring security and staying the plaintiff’s proceedings must be discharged.

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