Dorsey v. Lawrence
Dorsey v. Lawrence
Opinion of the Court
Upon this, an action was brought by Leaven Lawrence, Luckett, & Go. in debt. The declaration, after setting forth the obligation, avers that the defendants, “ or either of them, did not pay and discharge the said sum of 759/. 13#. 2d. Kentucky currency, in whiskey, beef, and pork, delivered in Middletown, agreeable to the stipulations mentioned in the said writing obligatory-; but they did then and there neglect and refuse to discharge the said sum of money, by the delivery of the Said articles ; whereby, and in virtue of the premises, they becarpe liable to pay the said sum in money, and yet Sre liable, and an action hath accrued,” &c.
To this, the defendants had pleaded payment ; but by leave of the court, withdrew their plea ; and thereupon, the plaintiffs had judgment by nihil dicit: and now, three questions are made by the assignment of er-tors; :
1st. Whether the declaration is sufficient, without naming the other partners composing the firm ?
2d. Will an action of debt lié, on the writing declared bn £
3d. Are the averments of non-payment in whiskey, beef, arid pork, sufficient to maintain the action, anden-title the plaintiffs to the judgment ?
As to the first, it seems to the court, that it was, at most, but cause of'special denuirrer, or in abatement ; *rid therefore, too late to be taken advantage of, in arrest of judgment; as'to the second, that debt will lie, with proper and sufficient averments of non-payment in the stipulated commodities. '
Upon the third, it seems to the court, that the aver-ments in the declaration are insufficient. It would ap-j^ear,froiu the declaration, that the defendants in the ac-
In the cafe of Fuqua vs. Higgins, fpring term 1809, it was decided that debt would not lie on a note for “ 5/. is. 10d. in trade }** and in the cafe of Watson and M’Call vs. M'Nary, fame term, that it would not lie on an-- obligation for <( one horfe, at the value of 30/.” Same point decided at the feme term, in the cafe of Winn vs. Irwin.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.