Self v. Harmon

1 Thompson 129, 1 Shan. Cas. 74

• Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
• Decided: September 15, 1858
• Status: Published

Opinion

McKinney, J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court:

There is no error in this record of which the plaintiff in error is entitled to avail himself in this Court. The mere fact offered to be proved, that Thomas Self and Jacob Harmon were partners at the time of, and previous to, the execution of the bill signed by them to Haun, and that it was given for goods which went into the partnership business, if it were admissible evidence, and had been received, would not sustain the plaintiff’s motion. But, we think, the evidence offered to show that Jacob Harmon .executed the note to Haun as a partner was wholly inadmissible, because it is directly contradictory of what is imported on the face of the note. The • instrument, if wrong upon its face, could only have been reformed in equity, upon an allegation of fraud, mistake, or other ground of equity. And this principle stands in the way of the plaintiff — whose interest, if any, arose after the execution of the bill single, to Haun — -quite as much as in the way of Thomas Self. But if this objection were obviated, there are other insuperable objections in the way of the plaintiff.

Judgment affirmed.

Parol evidence inadmissible to vary terms of agreement under seal.

Richardson v. Thompson, 1 Humph. 151, 155. Except in case of fraud, accident or mistake, ib. Por the same doctrine, see Wood v. Goodrich, 9 Yerg. 266; Phillips v. Keener, 2 Tenn. 329. To correct a deed on the ground of mistake or fraud, resort must be had to a Court of Chancery. Wood v. Goodrich, ubi supra. But a warranty, though not expressed in a bill of sale, is implied by law. Trigg v. Farris-5 Humph. 343, 344; Gookin v. Graham, 5 Humph. 480, 485. So, when the kind of money in which payment is to be made, is not express, ed in the instrument, the law implies legal currency, and parol evidence will not be heard to show that other money was intended. Noe v. Hodges, 3 Humph. 164, 166. But matter collateral to the purport the instrument may be proven by parol; as to show that a slave was unsound at the time of sale, and that the seller knew it. McFarlane v, Moore, 1 Tenn. 174, 176; Cheatham v. Haley, 1 Tenn. 265. See to a similar effect, Van Leer v. Fain, 6 Humph. 104, 107. — Ho parol substitute can be taken for a written contract. Bond v. Jackson, Cooke, 500, 504. Hor will parol evidence to add-to or alter a land entry, bo received. Winchester v. Gleaves, 3 Hayw. 213, 215. Hor to contradict or evade a release. Mayberry v. Jackson, 4 Hayw. 203.

Hor to show that the name of one person was inserted in an appeal bond, by mistake, forlthat of another. Dibrell v. Miller, 8 Yerg. 476.

See further, as to the general doctrine that parol evidence is inadmissible to vary the terms of written instruments, or change tne liability fixed by them, Kearly v. Duncan, 1 Head. 397; Ellis v. Hamilton, 4 Sneed. 512; Bryan v. Hunt, 4 Sneed. 544; Bedford v. Flowers, 11 Humph. 242; Ross v. Carter, 1 Humph. 415; Pratt v. Phillips, 1 Sneed, 543; Moseley v. Hanford, 10 Barn. & Cres. 729; Howard v. Tucker, 1 B. & Adolph 712. But the recitals in a sheriff’s deed may bo contradicted by parol evidence. Loyd v. Anglin, 7 Yerg. 427; Rogers v. Jennings, 3 Yerg. 308; Trott v. McGavack, 1 Yerg. 469. But the rule that parties and privies are estopped from contradicting a written instrument by parol,-does not apply to strangers. New Berlin v. Norwich, 10 Johns. 229; The King v. Inhab. of Northwingfield, 11 B. & Adolph. 712. And see August et al. v. Seeskind, et al., 6 Cold. 168, 184-190.

Note. By a singular mistake, the Bepórté'r in his head-note, 7, to this last case, has stated t e rule to be directly the opposite to that stated by the Court, and the authorities cited.