Court Opinion

ID: 7031849
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 06:41:40.268458+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:10:59.675196
License: Public Domain

Blackford, J.
This was an action of assumpsit brought by Morton and another against Evans. . Two counts— the first on a promissory note; the second for money had and received. Plea in abatement; demurrer to the plea; and the demurrer sustained. The plaintiff entered a nolle prosequi as to the second count. A default was taken for want of a plea; and final judgment rendered for the plaintiff for the amount of the note.
The only error assigned is the sustaining of the demurrer to the plea in abatement. That plea is as follows: That the writ describes the plaintiffs as Wm. S. T. Morton and Laz. Nolle, and not William S. T. Morton and Lazarus Nolle, as stated in the declaration.
The demurrer to the plea was rightly sustained, on this ground if no other, namely, that oyer of the writ was not obtained. The writ is no part of the record, unless specially made so. Shields v. Cunningham, 1 Blackf. 86. The English practice formerly was, when the defendant wished to plead in abatement, of the writ, on account of a variance between the writ and declaration, to procure oyer of the writ. The English Courts, however, long since adopted a rule refusing to allow oyer of the writ; and have thus wisely prevented many frivolous objections. 1 Tidd’s Pract. 502. We have, heretofore, recognized the practice of granting oyer of the writ when prayed for by the defendant. But the defendant can have no right to take advantage of the variance complained of in this case, until he has obtained oyer of the writ. The law on this *245subject is fully stated, and the authorities cited, in How v. McKinney, 1 McLean’s R. 319.
J. B. Julian, for the plaintiff.
J. 8. Newman, for the defendants.
We shall not stop to inquire whether, if oyer of the writ had been obtained, the variances mentioned in the plea would have been considered material.

Per Curiam.

-The judgment is affirmed with 5 per cent. damages and costs.