Miss. Code Ann. § 11-51-33: Miss. Code Ann. § 11-51-33

To enable the clerk to determine the value or amount of the matter in controversy, or the value of rents, where the same shall not appear by the proceedings in the cause, he may examine the parties and other persons, on oath. He may also examine, on oath, all persons who may be offered as sureties on any supersedeas bond, touching their sufficiency as such sureties, and require the examination to be put in writing and signed by such persons.