Pratt v. Foote
Pratt v. Foote
Opinion of the Court
This action was commenced under the Code and was tried in June, 1850, by consent, without a jury, before Mr. Justice Wright. The decision was not pronounced at the conclusion of the trial, but was delivered in writing at a subsequent period. It does not specify separately the conclusions of law and fact, at which the judge had arrived, but simply declares that “ the court do decide that the plaintiff do recover.” An exception was afterwards taken to the decision and judgment, and was duly sealed by the learned judge. The exception is to the decision and judgment, specifying the point not otherwise than by that exception. The plaintiff contends that this exception presents no point for review. Under the Code of 1849, which was in force when the trial took place, the judge was not bound, as he was under the Code of 1848, to state his conclusions of fact and law separately (§ 267), but was at liberty to pursue the course which has been taken in this case, and by his decision to determine all the questions of fact and law. I do not see how the exception to such a decision can take any different form from that which has been employed in
On the twenty-fifth of November, Foote’s note was entered on the books of the bank by the proper officer, as paid, and Scudder’s account was charged with the check.
Just such entries were made as would properly have been made if on that day Foote had presented to the bank Scudder’s check and had received the money for it, and had then, with the money, paid his note.
Upon these facts, as to which there is no conflict of evidence, the question upon the merits in this cause arises. The supreme court, at special and general term, have considered the rights of the parties as depending upon the question whether there was an agreement between the defendant and plaintiff, that Scudder’s check should be received absolutely in payment of Foote’s note. If that is the turning point in the cause, the court below has, beyond all doubt, rightly disposed of it. To me it seems, however, that the true question is rather, whether Scudder’s check has not, as between these parties, been actually paid, and upon that question I am of opinion with the defendant. Suppose Foote had presented Scudder’s check to the bank and they had paid it, they could never in any form have recovered the money back again, there being no pretence of fraud upon, or mistake by the bank. Scudder’s request to them to pay money on his account was one which, under the circumstances, they were at liberty either to reject or accede to, but having acceded to it they were not afterwards at liberty to recall their act. It seems to me that the payment of Scudder’s check by charging him with it in account, was as complete a payment as if the money had been handed across the counter to Foote and by him had been handed back again in payment of his note. (Levy v. Bank U. S., 4 Dal., 234; 1 Binney, 27; Bolton v. Richards, 6 T. R., 13S, 143.)
On the ninth December, Foote came to the bank, and on inquiry was told that the check had not been paid, and was
Under these circumstances, although he may, by giving the new note, have waived any right growing out of the non-protest of the check, he cannot be deemed to have waived the effect of its payment. As to that, he stands as if the new note had never been given.
I think there should be a reversal of the judgments at general and special term, and a new trial, with costs to abide the event. •
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.