Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

5 S.C.L. 207

Allen v. Mayson's Executors

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided April 15, 1813

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1813-04-15

Assumpsit on an open account. Tried in Laurens district. Plea, -statute of limitations. Replication, fraud. Demurrer to the replication in judgment for defendant on demurrer. Motion to set aside this judgment. v The action in this case was upon an open account between Allen and Mayson, during their lives, amounting to $521,74, for sundry articles alleged to have been sold and delivered to the deceased, Mayson, between the years 1792 and 1795.

Decided 1813-04-15

Bay, J.

¶1In this case, I am very clearly of opinion, that the replication is a departure in pleading from the matter contained in-the declaration, which, in law, is a good cause of demurrer. Co. Litt. 303, b. 5 Comyn, 433. A departure is fatal on a general-demurrer. 5 Comyn, Tit. Pleading, 436.

¶2In this case the declaration is on a contract of sale, and the assumpsit is for goods, wares, and merchandizes, sold and delivered. The replication, so far from supporting the count, or declaration, suggests a fraud on the part of Mayson, deceased, and alleges that the goods were obtatned by false promises, which were never performed. The one states a fair contract of sale; the other alleges fraud and circumvention in getting possession of the goods.

¶3If this had been an action of deceit, in obtaining goods upon1 false suggestions, the replication might have been consistent with-the declaration ; they might have stood together ; but as they now-appear on paper, they are, in my opinion, incompatible.

¶4But further, it appears from the defendant’s own shewing, that-the demand of the present plaintiff could not have been set off against Mr. Rutledge’s debt, even if he, Allen, had been guilty of no laches in his life time, but had offered it, by way of discount* against Mr. Rutledge’s bond. It would have been totally inad.-missible, inasmuch as the demands were totally independent of each other. Articles sold and delivered to Mayson, could not have been set off against a bond, due and payable to Mr. Rutledge. The defendant, therefore, had himself to blame, in his life time, in not making his demand against Mayson, and his representative afterwards, in due time. I think, therefore, that the judgement ought to stand.

Brevard, Colcock, Smith, and Nott, Js., concurred-
/5/scl/207 · .json · Public domain