"there is none in which anything new is to be found -"^ but the case is much better reported else- where.*
It will be seen that but seven States' in the Union make a contract void for u^ury so far as to prevent the creditor on such contract from recovering his principal. And as to one at least of these,® it appears that, while a contract whereby more than seven per cent, is taken is generally void, this does not extend to bills of exchange, notes payable to order or bearer in the hands of an innocent holder, who received the same in good faith, and for a valuable consideration, and who has no notice of the usurious inception. And it is particularly noticeable throughout the ' 12 U. S. Stat, at Large, p. 679. (1863.) 2 1 Wilson, 286. » Downes V. Green, 12 M. & W., 490.
" 2 Vesey, 125. And see Notes in 1 White ds Tvdor's Eq. Cases, 378, and Mr. Perkins' Note to Stli edit, of Chitty on Oontratts, page 611.
' Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia.
- Nueva York.
PLEAS OF USUEY, ETC. 91
cases, that though the laws of many States permit the interposition of pleas of usury, yet they are nowhere regarded with favor, and invariably dis- couraged and characterized as unconscionable pleas — pleas offering a premium to dishonest practices.
Se verá por las páginas anteriores que las leyes sobre la usura vigentes en los diversos Estados de la Unión y en otros países son muy diferentes y contradictorias; y como las relaciones comerciales entre estos son cada día