Matthewson v. Sprague

This was an action of assumpsit, in which it was set forth in the declaration, that the defendant, on the first day of November, 1826, by his promissory note, for value received, promised to plaintiff to pay her, or order, the sum of seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars and eighty-one cents, at either of the banks in Providence, in twelve months after date, with interest from date; which said time had expired. The declaration also set forth, that whereas one Caleb Mosher, on the first day of November, 1826, was indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars and eighty-one cents, and that the plaintiff did then and there, at the special instance and request of him the defendant, agree to forbear and give day of payment to the said Caleb Mosher for the said sum, for the term of twelve months then next following, and did also then and there, at the special instance and request of the defendant, accept of the said Mosher’s promissory note for the same sum, wherein and whereby he, the said Mosher, for value received, promised the plaintiff to pay her, or order, the aforesaid sum, in twelve months after date, at either of the banks in Providence, with interest; on the back of which said note he, the defendant, on the same day, by his indorsement on the back of said note in writing by him signed, guaranteed to the plaintiff the payment of said sum of money mentioned in said note, according to the tenor *9 and effect thereof. The plaintiff averred that the said Mosher did not pay said sum of money in the note mentioned, or any part thereof, on the day when said note fell due; and by reason of which promises he, the defendant, became liable, and being so liable, promised to pay the plaintiff accordingly. The declaration contained other counts to the same effect, and also a count for money had and received.

Verdict for the Plaintiff.

Plea, the general issue. The question was whether the defendant was liable as surety.

Per curiam.

A person is, by the Jaw of this state, a surety on a note, who, at the time of the signing of the same by the maker, puts his name on the back of the saíne in blank. Notice of non-payment- by the maker is not requisite to make such a surety liable. In this case notice is not requisite unless by some general usage, which enters into and forms a part of the contract. The question whether banks have an usage to notify such securities, need not be determined by the jury, as such an usage can affect only notes which are in bank, and after they are left.

The only question is, whether there exists any general usage in Providence, known to the plaintiff, which makes it necessary for the holder of a note payable at bank, to lodge it in bank before it is due, or demand payment thereof at bank, in order to make the note valid, as against the maker or surety. If there exists such usage known and assented to by the plaintiff, then find for the defendant; if not, find for the plaintiff.