previously been the rule in Delaware, from eight to six per cent., with a penalty of forfeiture of the whole debt for taking more, one- half to the state, and the other to the informer." And this is still the law of that State.
In Florida, acts were passed concerning usury and interest, in 1822; and in 1829, two acts, to regulate the rate of interest. In 1832, another was passed, which was repealed again the following year, by the Act of February 12, 1833, which was the law until repealed in its turn, by the Act of March, 1844. This last act is still in force, and establishes the rate ^E. S., 618, edition of 1849. " Swift's Digest, revised edition, 1853, p. 308, and cases cited. ' Camp. V. Bates, 11 Conn. Rep., 487, (1836). * Laws of Delaware, p. 314, edition 1829 j Ibid., Revised Code, p. 183, edition 1852.
GEORGIA. — ILLINOIS. 73 of interest on all contracts, at eight per cent, by stipulation, and six per cent, when no rate of interest is expressed by the parties, with a penalty for taking more, of forfeiture of the whole amount of interest then due, one-half to go to the county treasuryj and one-half to him who will inform and sue for the same.^ In March, 1759, the first act against usury was passed in Georgia, allowing interest at eight per cent. It was repealed in 1822, and the treble forfeiture clause contained in the original act, omitted.^ But in 1845, the present act was passed, and the rate of interest fixed at seven per cent, f where more than the legal rate of seven per cent, is reserved, the creditor can only recover the principal of the debt, but is liable to no forfeiture.
In Ilhnois a statute against usury was passed in April, 1833, and allowed interest as high as twelve per cent, by agreement between the parties, and six per cent, when nothing was said about interest; but in 1845 the statutes were revised, and the law mate- rially altered, since which, in 1853 and 1857, amen- datory acts have been passed, which have again altered the law, and leave it at the present time as follows : Six per cent, is