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2 N.C. 624

Shepherd v. Monroe

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided July 15, 1816

Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1816-07-15

This bill was filed against the defendants Malcolm Monroe, Pleasant Wicker, and John M'Lennon; all of whom, with the complainant, were co sureties for one Nathaniel Williams, to Thomas Stokes, since deceased, in a penal bond conditioned to pay £ 93 7 6, with interest. Stokes afterwards recovered judgment and execution on the said bond against the said Nathaniel, the principal, and the complainant and the defendants, the sureties.

Decided 1816-07-15

Daniel, J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court:

¶2Before the year 1807, it was thought a bill in equity was the only remedy a party could have, to obtain his right in a case like the present. In that year, the Legislature passed an act giving an action at law; but on examining the act, we do not discover the Legislature intended to oust the Court of Chancery of its jurisdiction altogether; for there are no negative words in the act. We are, therefore, of opinion, that this Court has concurrent jurisdiction with a court of law. In England, courts of law have sustained actions, of late, by one security against the other, when the principal has become insolvent; and we find authorities which say, the Court of Chancery retains its jurisdiction in such cases notwithstanding.—Coop. Plead. 142. 5 Vesey 792. 8 Vesey 312.

¶3The motion to dismiss the bill is overruled. It is unnecessary to decide the other point in the cause.

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