When, in an action on any contract or specialty, including a bill of exchange or a promissory note, the property of a surety, endorser, or drawer has been attached, the property of the promissor, acceptor, or principal, properly before the court, if within its jurisdiction, if not attached at the commencement of the action, may be attached on mesne process or execution, and shall in all cases be first applied in the satisfaction of any judgment recovered therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-2-2