Gabaroche v. Hebert
Gabaroche v. Hebert
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court, This action is brought against the maker and indorser of a promissory note. The petition states that the defendants are indebted to him, # by one of them making his note in favor of the J , . . . . other who indorsed it: that the said note was duly protested for non-payment, of which the indorser had notice, which facts will more fully appear by the note and protest annexed as part - . the petition.
The answer admits the execution and in-dorsement of the note as alleged; but avers that the rnr.ker was indebted to one Tate in the
The answer avers further, that the plaintiff cashed the note for $1800, at a discount greater than the legal interest, and demands credit for the excess.
Annexed to the defence were the following interrogatories, the materiality of which were sworn to, and their answers ordered by the court.
1. Are not the facts stated in this answer true, as far as they come within your knowledge?
2. Say which of them are not true that are within your own knowledge?
3. State which of them are not within your own knowled ge ?
4. Do you know, and if you do, say at what discount the note of $1800 was discounted ?
To the answers filed to these interrogatories the defendant excepted.
1. Because the commission to take said answer did not issue in the proper form, and should not have been a general commission to examine all witnesses.
2. Because the answers to the first and fourth interrogatories are insufficient and evasive.
II. The answer to the first interrogatory appears to us to be full and explicit; but that given to the fourth requires a more particu* lar examination.
The question asked is, “Do you know, and if you do, say, at what discount the note of $1800 was discounted ?” The answer is, “I took the note of $1800 in payment of a debt as value to the amount specified in its face.”
The judge of the first instance thought the answer evasive, but he refused to sustain the exceptions; because taking the interrogatory Us confessed it afforded no matter of defence of which the defendant could avail himself The reasons for the opinion are spread at length on the record. That on which the decision is principally based is the fact of the plaintiff having renewed the note. The judge thought
We have come to the same conclusion with the judge a quo, but for a different reason. We do not think the answer evasive. The plaintiff is interrogated if the note was discounted, and at what rate? He answers that he took it in payment of a debt for the value specified on its face. This certainly is as complete a negative as could be given to the interrogatory ; for if he took it in payment, for the value expressed, then it was not discounted. Reliance has been placed on that article of the code of practice, which requires a categorical answer to interrogatories. Whenever the question put, can be affirmed, or denied, the answer must furnish an affirmance, or denial. But the law requires no particular language in which that affirmation, or denial, should be couched. It is sufficient if either one or other clearly and necessarily results from the answer made. That there was necessarily a ne-
It has been objected, that it is not stated in the petition that demand was made at the place where the note was made payable, and that such an averment andp roof to support it, were necessary to enable the plaintiff to recover. If the petition was defective in this point, and the proof failed to establish the fact, the objection would be a good one; but on examining the pleadings we find that the protest of the notary is made a part of the petition, and that the protest was given in evidence.
In the instrument making a part of the petition, there is an express averment, that demand was made at the place where the note was payable. There is therefore no ground for the objection that there is no such demand set out in the petition.
Another objection has been taken, that the plaintiff’s endorsement is on the back of the note; but that endorsement is in blank, and it
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment of the district court be affirmed with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- GABAROCHE v. HEBERT & AL.
- Status
- Published