Forgay v. Sheriff ( 1851 )

The judgment of the court was pronounced by

Eustis, C. J.

Under the 12th section of the act of March 26th, 1842, (vide laws of 1842, p 442,) an execution was issued against Samuel L. For gay, for the sum of $348 50, being the fees of office due to the sheriff of the parish of Orleans, in the case of M. Payne, a freeman of color, against William M. Lambeth, in which suit the execution states Samuel L. For gay was security.

The act of March 20th, 1839, provides that whenever a plaintiff in a cause shall be unknown to the clerk or shall not offer, in the opinion of the clerk, sufficient guarantee for the payment of the costs, the clerk shall have the right to require security to cover the probable amount of costs, inclusive of sheriffs fees.

The responsibility of Forgay rests exclusively upon his obligation taken by the clerk under thisact. . It is in those words: Marcellus Payne, f. m. c. v. Wm. M. Lambeth, Fifth District Court. I am security to the clerk of the Fifth District Court for his fees in this case. October 24, 1849. Samuel L. Forgay.

It appears to us as plain as words can make it that Forgay did not bind himself as security for the sheriffs fees, and that no execution could be issued against him for their amount.

Forgay enjoined the execution. He might have had it quashed on his simple motion. We think the judge erred in dissolving the injunction; and the judgment to that effect is erroneous.

With the proceedings in this suit has been cumulated a claim of the sheriff against the clerk for the amount of his fees, for which it has been contended that the clerk was bound to take security. The clerk had made upon his general docketamemorandumin this suit of Payne v. Lambeth, that Samuel L. Forgay was security for costs. Our impression certainly is that the clerk would be bound to the sheriff for these costs, because the memorandum may have misled the sheriff. But the judge not having considered this clause, and it being presented in an irregular and unsatisfactory manner, we decline acting on it.

The judgment of the district court is therefore reversed; and it is decreed, that the sheriff be enjoined from exacting payment of his fees in said case from the plaintiff; and it is further decreed, that the petition and call in warranty of the defendant be dismissed at his costs, and that he pay costs in both courts; reserving the rights of the defendant against P. LeBlanc by an ordinary action.