Dodge v. Morse

| Superior Court of New Hampshire | May 15, 1825

By the court.

On behalf of the defendant in this case it is urged, that the jury were misdirected, because they were instructed, that in case they found the issue in favor of the plaintiff, it would be their duty to give him in damages the value of the goods charged, without any further inquiry into the merits of the case. But this objection is altogether without any foundation, .For it is well settled, that if issue be taken upon a plea in abatement, and the jury find for the plaintiff, they must assess the damages in the same manner, as when an issue is found for the plaintiff upon a plea in bar. 2 Wils, 367, Eichorn vs. Le Maitre.—3 Sound. 210, g. note 3.—Yelv. 112, Tompson vs. Colier.—T. Ray. 118.—1 Lev. 163. It is a rule of law, that whatever is traversable and not traversed is admitted, 19 John. 95, Briggs vs. Dorr.—2 N. H. Rep. 378. And no doubt is entertained, that this rule applies in cases, where a defendant pleads in abatement matter, which is found by a jury to be false.

It is further objected, (hat the book of the deceased, supported only by the supplementary oath of his administrator, was improperly permitted to go to the jury. It has lately been decided in this court, that the book of a party, supported by his oath, that it is his book of original entries, and that the charges are in his own hand writing, may go to a jury as evidence. Eastman vs. Moulton, 3 N. H. Rep.

And it is believed, it will be difficult to shew a good reason, why the book of the intestate, supported by the supplementary oath of his administrator, should not be considered as good evidence, as if supported by the oath of Isaac Dodge himself. And we are of opinion, that this objection-must be overruled.

Judgment on the verdict.