Wilkins v. M'Kinsie
Wilkins v. M'Kinsie
Opinion of the Court
From the case stated, it appears to me, that M’K. sold the bill of exchange to the plaintiff, and received the money as the price thereof; and that Wilkings took upon himself all the consequences. In this point of view, the law is settled. 3 Term 757. Andrews 108. 1 Salk. 124. 12 Mod. 408. And therefore a new trial ought to be granted.
It appears to me, that in this case there is no cause of action against the defendant. He contracted that Barclay, who was then in good credit, and as well known to the plaintiff, a merchant residing in the same town, as to the defendant residing in the country, should draw a bill in favour of the plaintiff; neither of of them had any doubt of the goodness of the bill. When the plaintiff received Barclay’s bill the contract of the defendant was fulfilled; the money was applied to the use of Barclay by being immediately placed to his credit, in discharge of his debt due to the defendant; and the plaintiff was accommodated with the bill contracted for. The defendant had nothing further to do; his placing the money to the credit of Barclay, was the same as if Barclay had himself received the money and paid it into the hands of the defendant. The whole must be considered as one entire transaction, the same as if the defendant, instead of drawing an order, had accompanied the plaintiff to Barclay, who having received his bill and paid his money, and Barclay had immediately handed it over to the defendant in payment. In such case the defendant could not be held accountable, and this does not appear to me to differ in substance from the present case.
It does not appear that the plaintiff had any reliance upon the defendant, as to the bill which was drawn by Barclay in favor of the plaintiff. Barclay’s circumstances, for aught that appears, were known as well to plaintiff as to the defendant. At that time they were
Vide Kyd on bills, 90 to 95—Chitty 122, 3, 4, 5, and the authorities there cited.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John Wilkins v. George M'Kinsie
- Status
- Published