Ramage v. Charteris

Mrs. Jean Charteris, a Scottish merchant, was engaged in trade with Joseph Ramage, a merchant in York. Ramage furnished articles of thread manufacture to Charteris, and Charteris paid him either in cash or in goods. In 1780, Ramage raised an action against Charteris for a balance that was allegedly due on her account. The account showed that Ramage had last furnished an article to Charteris in 1776, but Charteris had furnished goods to Ramage within the last three years. Charteris argued that the case was barred by the triennial prescription (i.e., the statute of limitations). Ramage responded that the prescription would not become effective until three years passed with no furnishing by either party.