Case Name: SEELY against FOSTEE
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1808-05
Citations: 3 N.J.L. 408
Docket Number: 
Parties: SEELY against FOSTEE.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 3–4

Head Matter:
SEELY against FOSTEE.
OH CERTIORARI.
Charge “to an account for ferriage,” &c. insufficient.
The action below was brought on the following state of demand:—
[*o] Julius Foster f To cash paid Abraham Skinner on account óf a judges. ment you obtained against said Abraham Skinner Samuel C. Seely, ( and Julius Foster, before John Brink, Esq. in Pennsylvania, for boards and timber, which you compelled [311] the said Abraham Skinner to pay after having been paid by me, and receited by you, for the same boards and timber, $45 00
1 sealed bill or note, 12 43
To an account on my bar book, 3 45
To an account for ferriage, 38 25
This state of demand was objected to as insufficient.

Opinion:
Kirkpatrick, C. J.
The state of demand filed in this case, I think, is altogether insufficient. It consists of four items. The first, if it can be understood at all, gives no cause of action to the plaintiff. The third is in these words, " To an account on my bar booh, $3.45," without giving the particulars ; and the fourth is like to it, viz: " To an account for ferriage, $38.25," also without particulars; and all these three without any date. The second item is in these words, " 1 Sealed bill or note, dated June 21,1791, $12.43," whereas the note which comes up with the proceedings is really for £2 2 0.
If such vague demands were to be supported, it would deprive defendants totally of their defense. Eeverse.
The other judges concurred.
Judgment reversed.
Anderson, att'y for plaintiff.
Cited in Vanguilder v. Stull, 5 Halst. 233.