Creamer & Graham v. Shannon

By the Court.

Lumpkin, J.

delivering the opinion.

[1.] The plaintiffs in error, in this case, brought suit as merchants, against the defendant, on an open account, for goods, sold and delivered to him during the year 1853. Upon the trial, it was proposed to show by Mr. Creamer, one of the firm, that the bill of particulars filed with the complaint, was a true transcript from the book of original entries; that said entries were made by himself, the partners having no clerk, and that the book containing these entries had been burnt in the late fire at Americus. The Circuit Court refused to allow the account to be established in this way; and that judgment is. excepted to.

This Court, in one of its earliest decisions, held that the accounts of shop-keepers might he proven by themselves, where the-book of original entries, kept by them, was produced — appeared to be fair upon their face, and the items were regularly charged, there being nothing upon the face of the books, themselves, to discredit them. This practice has obtained throughout the State; and, indeed, I might say, throughout the United States. And Mr. Greenleaf does not seem to consider it at variance with the principles of the Common Law. But it has always been conceded, that even the original books, kept by the party himself, and proven by his own oath, should be viewed suspiciously and scrutinized closely. And’at best, are only allowed from the necessity of the case, as a part of the res gestee.

But this case proposes to go one step further, and to permit the party to introduce in evidence a transcript of the account from the books. We are unwilling to go this far.

It takes from the defendant the last and only check upon this very loose species of proof. So long as the books, themselves, are required to be produced, the defendant may, by their inspection, detect such proofs of a want of' fairness and regularity, as to cast suspicion or discredit upon the account with which he is sought to be charged. But allow the party, in the absence of his books, to establish the demand by a copy claimed to have been drawn or transcribed by himself, and what protection has the defendant ? Is he not delivered! over, bound hand and foot, to his adversary ? Better that the debt be lost, for want of sufficient testimony, as many rights are, than to establish a principle and practice so fraught with mischief.

But it is not true that the plaintiffs have no other mode by which they can establish their debt. Under the late Statute,, they could make the defendant a witness, and compel him to testify. This account contains but seven items. Some of them leading ones, such as a pair of boots, &c. Is it not likely that the defendant would recollect these and admit their, justice ?