Penniman v. Barrymore
Penniman v. Barrymore
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the . . . court. JLhis action is brought on a bond gt-ven on taking out a writ of sequestration in a sujt in which the present plaintiff was defen- *■' r 1 ^ *s ⅛ the usual form, with the excep-tipn that/owrieew hundred and ten is written the amount which the obligors promised to pay, omitting the words dollars. The condition recites the issuing the writ, and states, that should it appear to be wrongfully taken out, the obligors will pay all damages the obligee may sustain therefrom.
The petition avers, the bond was made for $1400, conditioned to pay all damages the plaintiff might sustain, and prays judgment for that sum. The answer of the defendant excepts to the form of the suit, because he was but surety on the bond, and it is not shewn an action had been instituted against the principal—that he is not liable on the obligation for the sum claimed, or any other sum as demanded, and concludes by a prayer in reconvention.
The cause was submitted to a jury in the
The first question in the cause is, whether the defendant being surety can be pursued at law, before recovery is sought from the principal on the bond. We think he may, for the obligation he signed was one required by law in the course 6f a judicial proceeding, and the right' to discussion in such cases is expressly denied by the positive provisions of our code. Lou. Code, 3035.
The next is in relation to an alleged defect in the instrument, owing to the bond being dated the 9th January, and the petition in the cause wherein the writ of sequestration was obtained not being hied unti 1 the 10th. This eircum stance is quite immaterial, provided the obligation was delivered on taking out the writ, and the evidence in the cause we think well justifies the conclusion the jury came to, that it was so delivered.
The most important question in the cause relates to the defect in the bond from the omission of the words dollars, or some other words
Again, when there is doubt as to the sense in which words are used, they may be explained by reference to other words and phrases used in the same contract. Now, in looking
But whether the conclusion we have just expressed be sound or not, upon general principles, there cannot be a doubt of its correctness, when considered in relation to those rules which govern what are termed, in law, judicial conventions. In regard to them, the principle is perfectly established; that vvhere any obscurity or doubt is presented by the terms in which they are drawn up, they must be interpreted by the sentence or order in pursuance
The counsel for the defendant has contended, that the slightest defect in an instrument of this kind, or variance from an order of the court, renders it mill and of no effect. The argument confounds the rights of the obligee and obligor. It is no doubt true, the former has a right to exact from his adversary a strict compliance with all the previous steps which may be required before process can issue. But if the latter fails to comply with them, and, as in this instance, furnishes an obligation which tho’ defective inpointof form, substantially and really, contains an engagement on his part, it ill becomes him, or those who join him, to en-deavour to shelter themselves from responsibility, by pleading defects which proceeded either from negligence or bad faith, and it would be a just reproach to the law if it suffered such a defence.
On the whole, we can discover no error in , the judgment below, except that part which adds interest from judicial demand on the amount found by the jury. The judge had no power either to add to the verdict, or diminish
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the-parish court be annulled, avoided and reversed, and it is further ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the plaintiff recover from the defendant the sum of one thousand dollars, with costs ip the court of the first instance, those of appeal to be borne by the appellee.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.