Higgins v. Conner
Higgins v. Conner
Opinion of the Court
delivered the Opinion of the Court.
The principal question in this case, is whether there is sufficient proof of fraud or mistake in the execution of the note on which the judgment that has been enjoined ' was rendered.
The depositions satisfactorily prove, that the parol contract was understood and intended by the obligors, to be for Kthe currency of the country,” or unotes of the Bank of the Commonwealth,” and that the obligee, whatever he intended, authorized that opinion by his conduct and declarations. Consequently, even if he supposed that .such a contract would entitle him to the exaction of the nominal amount in specie, the complainants (now defendants in error) are entitled to relief if there was either mistake or fraud in the execution of the note. But if they
Wherefore, it is the opinion of this court, that the Circuit Court did not err in deciding that the defendants in error were entitled to some relief.
But the record will not sustain the decree as rendered.
As notes of the Bank of the Commonwealth were tendered “about the time when the note became due,” the defendants in error may be entitled to exoneration from so much of the judgment for specie as exceeds the value of the Commonwealth’s notes when the obligation became due and payable. Had there been no tender and refusal, a specific execution of the true contract would have been the only proper relief,'and such relief, at this' day, would be but nominal.
But neither the note nor the judgment is exhibited in the record; nor is there any other evidence tending to show, that the Circuit Judge was authorized to fix (as he did) the value of the Commonwealth’s paper on the 8th of November, 1832. In this respect, therefore, the decree seems to be erroneous.
In another particular, also, there is error: that is, in not decreeing damages on the partial dissolution of the injunction.
But there is no error in perpetuating the injunction to the judgment for costs hr the action at law; because, as, according to the proof, it was the duty of the plaintiff in error to accept notes of the Bank of the Commonwealth in discharge of the obligation, and as such notes were tendered to him, it is evident that he ought not to have sued for specie, and that he is not equitably entitled to the cost of a suit which was improperly and vexatiously prosecuted.
We are of the opinion, also, that Givens, a co-obligor, would be a proper party to this suit.
Wherefore, it is decreed and ordered, that the decree of the Circuit Court be reversed, and the cause remanded to that court for further proceedings consistent with the loregoing opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.