14 N.H. 23 | Superior Court of New Hampshire | 1843
The question before us is settled by the principle recognized in the case of Woodes vs. Dennett, 12 N. H. Rep. 511. There, the plaintiff, for the purpose of rebutting the defendant’s evidence, offered his book of accounts, verified by his oath, in order to prove that a third person was indebted to him; but the book was held incompetent, because it was offered to prove a fact collateral to the issue between the parties. The reasoning in that case, and the authorities when carefully examined, show that the plaintiff cannot use his book of accounts as evidence, except to prove the cause of action for which the suit is brought. The case of Poultney vs. Ross, 1 Dall. 238, cited in Woodes vs. Dennelt, is an authority upon the point that a book is inadmissible except to charge the original debtor to -whom the goods sued for were sold. The same rule is applicable to a defendant, and he cannot use his book as evidence unless to prove a set-off' against the claim of the plaintiff. In the case of Woodes vs. Dennett, it was not necessary, in stating the reasons for the judgment, to settle or to investigate the particular question that arises here. It is said in that case, that “ without inquiring into the nature of the transaction that may be proved by the book and oath of the party, —.upon which point the decisions are very numerous,—it is sufficient to say that such evidence is confined to suits between the debtor and creditor, whether the claim be made by the plaintiff, or by the defendant by way of set-off.” These remarks were sufficient for that case, because it was necessary to settle only the question whether collateral matters could be proved by this species of evidence. The fact which the plaintiff in the present case desires to prove is a collateral matter, and so far the question is settled by Woodes vs. Dennett, in terms; but the particular shape it assumes,
Verdict set aside.