from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
NON DETINET, pleading. The general issue in an action of detinue. Its form
is as follows:: And the said C D, by E F, his attorney, comes and defends
the wrong and injury, when, &c., and says, that he does not detain the said
goods and chattels (or, deeds and writings,' according to the subject of the
action,) in the said declaration specified, or any part thereof, in manner
and form as the said A B bath above complained. And of this the said C D
puts himself upon the country."
2. In debt on simple contract, in the case of executors and
administrators, instead of pleading nil debet, the plea should be "doth, not
detain.". 6 East, R. 549; Bac. Abr. Pleas, I; 1 Chit. PI. 476. 3. The plea
of non detinet merely puts in issue the simple fact of detainer; when the
defendant relies upon a justifiable detainer, he must plead it specially. 8
D. P C. 347.