U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia, 1827

Bank of United States v. Abbott

Bank of United States v. Abbott
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia · Decided May 15, 1827
2 F. Cas. 685; 3 Cranch 94
Bank of United States v. Abbott

Opinion of the Court

J. Dunlop, for the defendant, prayed the court to instruct the jury, that if they should find, from the evidence, that the bank, after the demand and notice to the defendant, agreed to give time to the maker, who had previously given a deed of trust to secure the bank, the defendant was discharged from his liability; which instruction THE COURT (THRUSTON, Circuit Judge, contra) refused to give.

The witness, Brooke Mackall, the notary, testified that he made the demand on the third day of grace,' and gave notice to the in-dorser on the third, and also on the next day thereafter; but on cross-examination said he could not recollect the days of the month and year, without reference to his notarial book, which was in the hands of the plaintiffs, and was not in court, or to certain copies from that book, which were in the hands of the plaintiff’s counsel; but he testified positively that he had a distinct recollection, independently of his book, that it was on the third and fourth days of grace.

Mr. Dunlop moved the court to instruct the jury, that the testimony of Mr. Mackall was not competent evidence of demand and notice; which instruction THE COURT (THRUSTON, Circuit Judge, contra) refused to give.

"Verdict for plaintiff, $2,563.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.