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6 S.C.L. 472

Richardson v. McCray

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided November 15, 1814

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1814-11-15

Charleston, November Term, 1814, The defendant Was the owner of a certain negro slave, who had committed some crime in Barnwell district; and he had been arrested at the instance Of the plaintiff, to answer for this offence. The negro escaped, and got into Charleston, where he was apprehended and committed to the work-house.

Decided 1814-11-15

Smith, J.

¶1This doctrine would be monstrous. In the first place, the defendant was not liable for the expenses attendant on the prosecution of his negro for a public offence; and secondly, because it Would thwart every principle of law, to make him so upon the mere act of the plaintiff.

¶2No man can, by a voluntary payment of the debt of another, make himself that man’s creditor. This is the opinion of Lord Kenyon, in 8 Durnf. & Eastf 613. The same judge gives his opinion on the same ground, in another case, same book, 310, And the position is so self evident that it cannot need authorities to maintain it. I am of opinion that a new trial should be granted.

Justices Bay, Nott, Bkevakd, and Colcock, concurred.
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