FIGURES. Numerals. They are either Roman, made with letters of the alphabet: for example, MDCCLXXVI ; or they are Arabic, as follows : 1776.
2. Roman figures may be used in contracts and law proceedings, and they will be held valid ; but Arabic figures, probably owing to the ease with which they may be counter feited or altered. have been holden not to be sufficient to express the sum due on a contract; but it seems that if the amount payable and due on a promissory note be expressed in figures or ciphers, it will be valid. Story, Bills, 42, note ; Story, Prom. Notes, 21.
3. Figures to express numbers are not allowable in indictments ; but all numbers must be expressed in words at length, except in setting forth a copy of a written instru ment. And complaints are governed by the same rule in cases over which magistrates have final jurisdiction. But the decisions on this point are not uniform. And in most of
them the proper distinction between the use of figures in the caption and in the body of an indictment has not been observed. In America, perhaps the weight of authority is contrary to the law as above stated. But, at all events, a contrary practice is unclerical, uncertain, and liable to alteration ' • and the courts which have sustained such practice have uniformly cautioned against it. See 13 Finer, Abr. 210 ; 1 Chit. 319.
4. Bills of exchange, promissory notes, checks, and agreements of every description are usually dated with Arabic figures: it is, however, better to date deeds and other formal instruments by writing the words at length. See 5 Toullier, n. 336. 4 Yeates, Penn. 278; 2 Johns. N. Y. 233; 2 Miss. 256: 6 Blackf. Ind. 533 ; 1 Vt. 336.