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6 Johns. 97

Smith v. Rosecrantz

New York Supreme Court

Decided May 15, 1810

New York Supreme Court · decided 1810-05-15

SILL, for the defendant, moved to set aside the ca. sa. issued in this cause, and that the defendant be discharged from imprisonment. The defendant was special bail for Benjamin Hutchins, at the suit of the plaintiffs* in an action on the case, commenced in this court, at February term, 1807, on which a judgment was obtained, and an execution issued.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently March 1853

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1810-05-15

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Per Curiam.

¶1After the plaintiff had obtained judgment against the defendant, he had his election to have execution against the body of the principal, or of the bail; but when he has taken one in execution, he then *98loses his election, and cannot resort to the other. If he takes the bail in execution, he cannot afterwards resort to the principal, and take him in execution, for he has made his election; and so if he has execution against the principal, he cannot afterwards resort to an execution against the bail. This is the doctrine in Higgins’s case, which is summarily reported in Cro. Jac. 320. and in 1 Roll. Abr. 897. G. but more fully, and with a clear and precise declaration of the law, in 2 Bulst. 68. The case of Astre v. Ballard, as reported in 1 Vent. 315. intimates that a different rule had afterwards been laid down; but the case is there very loosely reported; and the report of the same case in 2 Mod. 312. 2 Lev. 195. and 2 Jones, 75. contains no such intimation. The true rule of law must, therefore, be considered to be that which is declared in Bulstrode, by the unanimous opinion of the court of K. B.

¶2Motion granted.

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