Court Opinion

ID: 6573783
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 19:32:22.817778+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:57:00.324382
License: Public Domain

The opinion of the court was delivered by
Bennett, J.
The only question, raised on this bill of exceptions, relates to the sufficiency of the plaintiff’s replication to the plea in bar. The plea is, that the cause of action did not accrue within eight years; and, by way of answer, the plaintiff replies a new promise within six years. If the defendant had taken issue upon the replication, and that issue had been found for him, it is obvious, that such finding would not have settled the rights of the parties. The plaintiff’s replication is not co-extensive with his rights; and in the event, that the issue upon this replication had been found for the defendant, it would have been an immaterial issue. In such a case, the other party cannot be required to take issue upon the replication, but may demur.
In Blackmore v. Tidderly, 2 Salk. 423; S. C., 2 Ld. Raym. 1099, a plea of not guilty within six years, in a case where the statute bar was four years, was held ill on general demurrer. It is said, in that case, that, at common law, there was no such plea; and, if founded on the statute, the statute is not pursued; and the plaintiff could not take issue upon it, upon the ground that it tendered an immaterial issue. The defendant might not have been guilty within four years, and yet guilty within six years. Though it might seem, at the first view, that such a plea would operate in favor of the plaintiff, in case issue was taken upon it, and that consequently the plaintiff ought not to object to it, yet, as the trial of such an issue might not settle the rights of the parties, the plaintiff could not be compelled to join issue upon it. The same reasoning applies to a case, in which the replication is, that the action did not accrue within six years, when the statute bar, insisted upon in the plea is eight years.
It is to be remarked, that in this case the plaintiff does not reply, that the cause of action did accrue within six years, but alleges a new promise within six years. We are not prepared to say, that in *56a case where the plea is non accrevit, it is admissible for the plaintiffs to reply a new promise; certainly it is not usual to reply in that form, but to traverse the plea directly. But, be this as it may, we have no doubt the present replication is ill.
The result is, the judgment of the county court is affirmed.