Case Name: Gill v. Patton
Court: United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1804-11
Citations: 1 Cranch 188
Docket Number: 
Parties: Gill v. Patton.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 1
Pages: 188–188

Head Matter:
Gill v. Patton.
In an action of covenant for rent, the landlord cannot recover interest.
Writ of inquiry, upon a judgment on demurrer in an action of covenant on a lease; breach, not paying rent.
Mr. C. Lee, for the defendant,
contended that as the landlord has a summary process to compel payment, he is not entitled-to interest.
Mr. Youngs.
The action is covenant and sounds in damages, and the jury alone can assess them.

Opinion:
The Court
instructed the jury that they were as much bound to give interest on the arrears of rent as on any other debt by specialty; that it is in the power of the jury to refuse interest; and if they refuse, it is in the power of the Court to grant a new trial.
Verdict for plaintiff, including interest.
A new trial was afterwards granted on the ground of misdirection of the jury by the Court.