Anderson v. Mitchell
Anderson v. Mitchell
Opinion of the Court
— Action by E. R. Anderson, plaintiff, against C. E. Mitchell, defendant, upon a promissory note. From a judgment in favor of plaintiff, defendant appeals.
The note sued on was made by appellant in favor of the Fidelity National Bank of Spokane, Washington. After maturity of the note, it was transferred to respondent, who
It has been repeatedly held by this court that, in the absence of fraud or mistake, it is incompetent for one who signs a promissory note as principal to set up an independent collateral agreement limiting or exempting him from liability. He is bound by the terms of his obligation. Tacoma Mill Co. v. Sherwood, 11 Wash. 492, 39 Pac. 977; Bryan v. Duff, 12 Wash. 233, 40 Pac. 936, 50 Am. St. 889; Allen v. Chambers, 13 Wash. 327, 43 Pac. 57; Wingate v. Blalock, 15 Wash. 44, 15 Pac. 663; Shuey v. Adair, 18 Wash. 188, 51 Pac. 388, 63 Am. St. 879, 39 L. R. A. 473; Hemrich v. Wist, 19 Wash. 516, 53 Pac. 710. This being the rule as between the original parties to the instrument, it follows that the defense could not be set up as against a subsequent holder of the note.
It is contended, however, that under the community property laws and the statutes respecting suretyships, the maker has a right “to establish the nature of the debt created by the note.” Appellant expressly pleads that he was not to
Hadley, C. J., Mount, Rudkin, Fullerton, Crow, and Dunbar, JJ., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- E. R. Anderson v. C. E. Mitchell
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- 27 cases
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- Syllabus
- Evidence — Parol Evidence to Vary Writing — Bills and Notes. In the absence of fraud or mistake, parol evidence is inadmissible to show that the maker of a note signed the same for a corporation under a collateral verbal agreement that he should not be liable thereon either as principal or surety. Pleading — Issues and Proof — Bills and Notes. Under an affirmative answer that the maker of a note was not to be bound either as principal or surety, evidence to show the nature of the debt under the laws respecting community property and suretyships is not within the issues.