5 Blackf. 557 | Ind. | 1841
Taylor brought an action of assumpsit against 'William H. Moseley and William W. Claypool, on a joint promissory note. The writ was returned non est inventus as to Moseley. Claypool appeared and pleaded as follows: That the plaintiff hei'etofore, &c., impleaded the defendant and Moseley, &c., for not performing the same promises, &c.; and that the plaintiff in that suit (it being suggested that the writ had been served on Moseley and not on Claypool) obtained a judgment against Moseley for the amount due, &c. General demurrer to the plea, and judgment for the defendant.
This is a joint action against Moseley and Claypool; and, to support it, the plaintiff must have a joint cause of action against the defendants
The judgment is affirmed with costs.
According to that principle, the defendant in such case on whom process is served cannot set off a debt due to him alone from the plaintiff; but a debt which the plaintiff owes him and his co-defendant not served with process may be set off.