Turcas v. Rogers

2 Mart. (N.S.) 655

• Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Decided: June 15, 1824
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mathews, J.

delivered the opinion of the court. This is a suit by the holder of a promissory note, negotiable in form, but which was not transfered until after it became due. The defendant, in his answer, claimed a right to use all means of defence against the endorsee. which by law and equity he could plead against the original payee; on the ground of the note not having been indorsed till after it was payable. He pleaded a want of consideration for his promise, and judgment having been rendered in his favor, the plaintiff appealed.

An order for bail appears on the record; and a bond taken in pursuance thereof, which were subsequently set aside and cancelled by a decision of the court below, on the ground of insufficiency or uncertainty in the affidavit by which the bail was required. There is also found on record a bill of exceptions to the opinion of the judge a quo, in allowing Segard the endorser of the note, to be sworn as a witness for the defendant. But as the plaintiff has abandoned his exception before this court and claims the benefit of the testimony of the witness, we will proceed to examine the case on the whole evidence adduced, as it appears on the record.

The proof is somewhat various and contradictory, as to the consideration on which the note was given to the payee. He states that it was for money lent, which was also secured by a note of Samuel C. Young, endorsed by J. Gravier to the defendant, and by him endorsed to the witness ; that the note now sued on, was to be paid only in case of failure, to collect the amount from Young and Gravier whose note he also put into the hands of the plaintiff.

Dumoulin for the plaintiff, Preston for the defendant.

Before pronouncing any opinion on the final judgment rendered by the district court, it is proper to state that we think that court erred in annulling the order for bail, and the bond thereon taken, because to our view, the affidavit is sufficiently certain.

On the merits of the case, as disclosed by the whole evidence, we are of opinion that they are such as to require it to be remanded for a new trial; in order that some further account may be given of the note of Young and Gravier, &c.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the court below, be avoided, annulled and reversed, and that the order for bail and bail bond be reinstated, and that the cause be remanded to said court, to be tried anew, and that the appellee pay costs of this appeal.