Case Name: GILL v. PATTON
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1804-11
Citations: 10 F. Cas. 379
Docket Number: 
Parties: GILL v. PATTON.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 10
Pages: 379–379

Head Matter:
Case No. 5,430.
GILL v. PATTON.
[1 Cranch, C. C. 188.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
Nov. Term, 1804.
Covenant ron Rent — Interest.
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
C. Lee, for 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.
Yerdict for plaintiff, including interest.
A new trial was afterwards granted on the ground of misdirection of the jury by the court
[See Cases Nos. 5,427-5,420.]