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21 N.H. 56

State v. Tappan

Superior Court of New Hampshire

Decided July 15, 1850

Superior Court of New Hampshire · decided 1850-07-15

<p>An indictment for perjury, alleged, that the perjury was committed in making oath to a replication to a plea of usury, that the sum of $20, above the legal interest, was not received for the loan of $400. The evidence was, that the respondent delivered to one Sargent, who borrowed the money of Mm, the sum of $380, and received therefor of him a note for $400.</p> <p>Held, that the unlawful interest was received upon the sum of $380, and not upon the sum of $400, and that the indictment could not be maintained.</p>

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently May 1896

1 state decisions

Relies on Musgrove v. Gibbs

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1850-07-15

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Gilchrist, C. J.

¶1A recovery can be had only secundum allegata et probata, and this rule is as applicable and as much to be regarded in this case as in any other. In actions qui tarn upon the statutes against usury, if the plaintiff undertake to set out the usurious contract, he must prove it precisely as laid, or .the variance will be fatal. Musgrove v. Gibbs, 1 Dall. 216. So the day from which the forbearance is to commence is material, and must be truly stated. Partridge v. Coates, 1 C. & P. 534; Carlisle v. Trears, Cowp. 671; Harris v. Hudson, 4 Esp. 152.

¶2The money and the interest upon it, are alone -subject to the forfeiture. Gibson v. Stevens, 3 N. H. Rep. 185; Williams v. Little, 11 N. H. Rep. 66. This is a sufficient reason why the money, on which the unlawful interest is reserved, should be stated accurately.

¶3The indictment charges the respondent with having falsely sworn, that the sum of $20 was not received for the loan of the $400. The sum lent was $380 ; for Sargent testified that that was the sum he received, and that he thereupon delivered Tappan the note for $400. There was usury in the transaction, doubtless, but it was received upon the sum of $380, and not upon that of $400. The allegation in the indictment is, therefore, unsupported by the proof, and the respondent has not sworn falsely, and the indictment cannot be sustained.

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