34 Md. 54 | Md. | 1871
delivered the opinion of the Court.
The principal question presented in this case is, whether the cause of action relied'upon in the declaration, is such a one as authorized the appellees to proceed under the provisions of the Act of 1864, ch. 6. The construction of that Act in this particular has been presented in several cases that have
But the appellants also object that a copy and not the original bond was filed with the declaration. The eighth section of the Act of 1864, provides that “the plaintiff shall not be entitled to judgment under either of the three preceding sections, unless at the time of bringing his action he shall file with his declaration an affidavit, or affirmation, * * * stating the true amount that the defendant is indebted to him over and above all discounts, and shall also file the bond, bill of exchange, promissory note, or other writing or account by which the defendant is so indebted.” The language of this section cannot be construed to require the original bond to be filed in all events. Its reasonable construction is, that the plaintiff' shall file such bond or other instrument of writing as will evidence the indebtedness of the plaintiff. If a copy is admissible in evidence, such copy will gratify its requirement. That a copy of the bond, sued upon in this case, was admissible in evidence we entertain no doubt. Code, Art. 37, see. 59. It was entered into and used for the purpose of dissolving an attachment, and the original, upon being filed in that case, and approved by the Court, became as much a part of the proceedings as any other original paper in it. The plaintiffs had no right to its custody and possession, and could only demand, from the clerk of the Court in which it was filed, a copy certified under the seal of his office. In doing this, and in filing a copy, properly certified, with their declaration, we think they have brought themselves within the meaning of the section of the Act of 1864, above referred to.
The other exceptions filed in the Court below were properly abandoned at the argument, and it is unnecessary for us to notice them.
Seeing no error in the judgment of the Court below, it will be affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.