The witness and officer shall prove their account by oath before the clerk of the senate, and the clerk's certificate annexed thereto shall enable the holder to collect the amount from the defendant or the state, according as either is liable.
Code 1858, § 5291 (deriv. Acts 1815, ch. 110, § 2); Shan., § 7271; Code 1932, § 11873; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 8-2611.