Whitney v. South Paris Manufacturing Co.
Whitney v. South Paris Manufacturing Co.
Opinion of the Court
The facts proved appear in the opinion of the Court, which was drawn up by
— The plaintiff, as indorsee, has commenced this suit against the corporation as indorser of a promissory note for $1000, bearing date on March 8, 1849, made by Samuel T. Thomas, payable to the corporation or order, in nine months from date with interest. It appears to have been indorsed by William Peering, agent of South Paris Manufacturing Co., “ accountable without notice or demand.” The testimony proves, that the indorsement was made by Deering. In a letter written by him to Thomas, under date of Dec. 12, 1849, he says,I arranged yester
To procure delay of payment in case of necessity, of which he must be the judge, would seem to be clearly within the scope of this authority.
If this be so, it is still insisted, that he acted as the agent of the maker of the note and not of the company, when he made the agreement for an extension of time for payment, and when he made the waiver of demand and notice. He does appear to have acted as the agent of the maker at that time; but the maker could not, and he does not appear to have attempted to, confer upon him any authority to waive demand and notice. As early as the month of October preceding, the maker appears to have communicated his inability to make payment at the stipulated time. The agent therefore knew, that payment must be expected to be made by the company, or that he must assent to, or procure a delay for payment. If that could not be obtained without its becoming absolutely liable, it might be necessary to yield to it. In doing it, he would act as agent of the company, although he might at the same time be acting as the agent of the maker also to procure the delay. The company appears to have been under the necessity of conducting its business by means of loans of money, and its agent, according to the course of business, would be authorized to act for the company as well as for the maker, being authorized by him to procure the delay needful for both; and he appears to have so acted.
The fact, that he appears to have agreed to pay nine per cent, interest to obtain such delay, cannot absolve the company from the payment of what may be legally due, or prevent a recovery of that amount by the plaintiff.
The company by its agent being a party to the agreement for an extension of time, cannot thereby be discharged.
It is further insisted, that the plaintiff received this note
There is testimony from which such an inference might be drawn, while there is other testimony to prove, that an absolute title was conveyed by the indorsement. The burden of proof is upon the company to relieve itself by satisfactory proof from the obligation incurred by the indorsement, and this it has failed to do. Defendants defaulted.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Whitney versus South Paris Manufacturing Company
- Status
- Published