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9 Johns. 327

Wattles v. Laird

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1812

New York Supreme Court · decided 1812-10-15

THIS was an action of debt on a recognisance of bail. In An-gust, 1809, the plaintiff, as endorsee of a promissory note made by E. B. Cornwell and Leonard Barton, payable to Thomas Stage, or order, brought'an action against Stage,- as the endorser, and, in November following, the defendant became special bail for Stage in that action. The plaintiff recovered judgment against Stage in ... 1,0 ! . , , .

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently November 1886

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1812-10-15

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Per Curiam.

¶1The defendant could' not, by pleading, set up any of the matters stated in the case, in bar of the suit oil the recognisance. The recognisance was strictly forfeited by the,return ©f non est to the ca. sa. and the recovery of the principal debt in another suit would not discharge the defendant, or his principal, un*328til the costs of the suit against hi~ principal were also paid. It is for those costs that the plaintiff mustt have proceeded in this suit. When he came to have his damages assessed upon the recognisance, the defendant might undoubtedly have given in evidence, in mitigation, recovery of the debt; and the assessment would then have been only for the costs of the suit against Stape; but the iudsinent would still have been, pro forma, for the penalty of the recó~nisance, and the p1aintiff would be entitled to levy on his execution the costs of this suit, and the damages so assessed. Judgment, therefore, must be entered for the plaintiff, according to the latter alternative in the ease.

¶2Judgment accordingly.

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