Limitation of actions. In most cases, however, the action is not absolutely barred, but the plaintiff, after the period limited, is restricted to proof of his claim by writing under the hand of the defendant, or by the defendant's admission on oath. Merchants' and tradesmen's accounts fall under the rule in three years, parole contracts in five, bills in six, covenants by sureties in seven, bonds unattested in twenty, and other covenants in forty years, called the long prescription, and which extinguishes the right.

Source: Kinnear, Digest of House of Lords cases (1865), pg. 359.