Case Name: Avery v. Kinsman
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1787-11
Citations: 1 Kirby 354
Docket Number: 
Parties: Avery v. Kinsman.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 354–356

Head Matter:
Avery v. Kinsman.
This action was upon an implied promise, to repay to the plaintiff moneys received of him by the defendant. The declaration was — “ That on the 22d day of June, 1786, the defendant received of the plaintiff, £142 14s. lOd. lawful money, which was the proper money of the plaintiff; and that the defendant received the same for the plaintiff’s use, and to account with the plaintiff therefor in a reasonable time afterward, when thereto requested: And that the defendant thereupon became liable by law, to pay to the plaintiff the aforesaid sum of £142 14s. lOd. lawful money, and being so liable, assumed and promised,” etc.
On demurrer, this declaration was adjudged to be ill.

Opinion:
By the Court.
If the plaintiff had declared simply, on the defendant's receiving his money to his use, there would have been room for an implied promise to repay it; but when the declaration goes further, and expresses the money to have been received to account, there is no ground left for such implication. An action of account being brought for this money, the defendant would be allowed to show, that he liad laid out, or expended- it, according to the direction of the plaintiff; but as the action is now brought, nothing but pay ing tbe money to tbe plaintiff can be a performance: For a promise to pay, and a promise to account, are substantially different, and admit a different mode of trial, issue, and judgment.