*81The case was submitted without argument; and the opinion of the Court was delivered by
Mellen C. J.In consequence of the false return made by the deputy of the defendant, the plaintiff has been compelled to pay the amount of the judgment and execution against Holden, and in this suit seeks a reimbursement from the defendant. Why should he not obtain it ? There is no pretence that the liability on his part is to Southwich. He did not become bail. The promised indemnity by him, was a concern between him and the plaintiff, with which the defendant has no connexion.
But it is further contended that our statute respecting bail in civil actions, (Stat. 1821, ch. 67,) has made an essential change'in the principles of law which are to govern the court in this case. A change has been made in respect to the nature and effect of the return of the officer on the execution against the principal. By the second section it is provided “ that no return of non ést inventus, made by any officer on any execution, shall be considered as evidence of the debtor’s avoidance, so that the bail may be rendered liable on scire facias, unless such officer shall certify on such execution that he has had die same in his hands, at least thirty days before the expiration thereofand the first section, among other things, declares that the officer shall, at least fifteen days before the return day, notify the bail that he cannot find the principal debtor, nor any property wherewith to satisfy the execution. These provisions have been introduced into our statute for the purpose of protecting the bail from being entrapped by a return of non est inventus, made perhaps on the last day of the life of the execution, which had never been placed in the hands of the officer until a short time before. It was intended to prevent the success of any artful proceedings, calculated to prejudice the bail; but surely the legislature never could have contemplated that the officer was, by means of the above provision, to be excused from the performance of whatever was his duty before, and devolve such obligation on the bail. To give such a construction as is contended for by the counsel for the defendant, would be to impose a burthen, where a benefit was evidently in*82tended. The defence cannot be sustained, nor can we take any notice of the payments in part of the judgment, made by Southwicfc; the sums so paid must be refunded to him by the plaintiff, on his obtaining satisfaction of the defendant.
Judgment on the verdict.