New York Supreme Court, 1841

Groat v. Gillespie

Groat v. Gillespie
New York Supreme Court · Decided January 15, 1841 · Nelson
25 Wend. 381

Counsel

J. McKown, for defendants., J. Holmes, for plaintiff.

Groat v. Gillespie

Opinion of the Court

By the Court,

Nelson, C. J.

The ruling at the circuit was [ *384 ] clearly erroneous. The plaintiff was entitled only to *the damages actually sustained in consequence of the attachment, and nothing more. The condition of the bond carries the remedy no farther, according to its terms. '

The ground of the recovery, is not that the proceedings have been irregular and void on the part of plaintiff in the attachment, but that' he has failed to recover a judgment. So far as respects the remedy in this form, it is wholly immaterial whether they be regular or not. The breach has no necessary connection with the fact.

The measure of damages, therefore, in trover or trespass, as in the case of an illegal levy, was improperly applied. Upon the facts in this case, I do not see that the plaintiff was entitled to anything more than nominal damages.

New trial granted.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.