Wells v. Gant
Wells v. Gant
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of himself and Judge White. This cause came into the circuit court by petition and certiorari. The principal grounds in the petition are, that no notice was given the security of the intended motion; therefore, the petitioner could not appeal: That after the money had been collected, day was given-by the plaintiff in the execution, to the constable, for payment: That by such indulgence, after the money was made, the same was lost; and that the justice had no jurisdiction; There was no motion to quash, but amotion to dismiss, which was overruled.
The circuit court gave judgment for the plaintiff in the motion. The proof shows, that Wells agreed with the constable that he might keep the money six or eight weeks; within that time he was solvent, but became insolvent before the motion was made. The co-security is also insolvent. By the record it appears that twelve months elapsed from the time the money had been col-lected until the time of making, the motion.
The act of giving indulgence to the officer, is, under the circumstances of this case, fatal to the demand against the security. The law is, if the constable fail or refuse to pay on application, judgment shall be given. Appli
In New York it has been held, that an agreement by which the holder of a promissory note gives time to the maker, discharges the endorser, if such indulgence be to, his prejudice. 9 Cow. 194. To the same effect is the case of Cane vs. Caldwell, (3 John. R. 384;) and if the holder receive part and indulge for the balance, to retain the liability of the endorser he must have notice. 1 John. Cases, 131: 3 M’Cord, 13.
Credit-or indulgence given to the maker, acceptor, endorser or promissor, is a consent to hold the demand on those indulged, and no other. 7 Mas. Rep. 494.
It is true, that, as a general rule, some consideration should be given as the grounds of delay, because that would bind the parties to the contract for indulgence. But there are other rules evidently deducible from the cases, and they may be summed up in these: If the act of indulgence be done to the injury of the surety; or, if the-terms of the obligation be varied; or, if the time for per
If under these and the like circumstances, a surety, or one standing in that character, would be discharged, for stronger reasons the- present case as made out in the proof, discharges the plaintiff in error. The law-merchant supposes that those standing in the relation of maker and endorser have the means of securing each other; and it is on this principle that vigilance in giving notice shall secure liability.
Butin the case before us, thé means of a surety for an .officer securing himself, is not, as in the other case, in-ferable. The argument in favor of the surety for an officer, may be carried much further. Such an one has a right to suppose that in all cases the duty will be well performed. The writ directs when and where the money shall be paid, and the officer acts on oath. What power has the security to coerce faithful execution and accountability? As no one can coerce in a case like the present but the plaintiff in execution, if he can agree with the officer and indulge at pleasure with the use of the money, because the security is bound, then of all men the security would be the most helpless. Secret combinations or caprice might ruin him. While the law regards the rights of the plaintiff in the execution, it will not overlook that of the security; and in all cases where the question is presented to the court in this summary mode of proceeding, matters equitable as well as legal, to attain what is justice, must be regarded.
Therefore, the circumstances which have followed this indulgence, one year having expired, both the officer and co-security having in the meantime become insolvent, presents a plea which to my mind is irresistible for the plaintiff in error. So far as he is affected by the judgment, it must be reversed.
The opinion of my brothers, Whyte and
Concurring Opinion
I concur with Judge Green in the positions taken in the fore part of his opinion.
As to the conclusion, that the security to the constable is discharged, in this case, by the time given the constable to pay, I have doubts, and am inclined to a contrary opinion; but wish not to be understood as giving any on the conclusion.
Judgment reversed.
Reference
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