Case Name: Alexander Knight v. Thomas R. Mitchell
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1814-05
Citations: 3 Brev. 506
Docket Number: 
Parties: Alexander Knight v. Thomas R. Mitchell.
Judges: Gkimke, and Smith, Js., concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 506–507

Head Matter:
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, CHARLESTON,
MAY, 1814.
Alexander Knight v. Thomas R. Mitchell.
Interest is not recoverable on an open account, though a time he fixed for payment; unless there be an agreement to pay interest. An agreement may be implied, as from a promise to give a note, or from the usage of trade.

Opinion:
Nott, J.
This was an action of assumpsit for overseer's wages. And the only question is, whether the presiding judge did right, in directing the jury to give interest on the amount. The decisions on this subject are very contradictory. But the rule, as settled by the modern cases, appears to be, that interest is not recoverable on an open account, although a time is fixed for the payment; unless there is an agreement to pay interest.. An agreement to pay interest may be either express or implied. A promise to give a note of hand, or bill of exchange, will be considered as an agreement to pay interest. So it may be inferred from the usual course of trade, or dealing between the parties. In an action for money had and received, proof that the defendant actually used the money, and made a profit by it, has been held sufficient to entitle the plaintiff to interest. 2 Campbell, 429. Gordon et al. v. Swan et al. in note, do. 472. Porter et al. v. Palsgrave, do. 481. Boyer et al. v. Warburton, 1 do. 50. 9 Johns. 71. The People v. Gashere et al. A new trial, therefore, must be granted, unless the plaintiff will release the interest.
Gkimke, and Smith, Js., concurred.
This case submitted without argument. See Bulow ads. God. dard, 1 N. and M'C.