Case ID: ny-st-rep_26/html/0938-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William C. Islay et al., Resp’ts, v. Thomas H. Smedes, App’lt.
    
      (City Court of New York, General Term,
    
    
      Filed October 31, 1889.)
    
    Bills and notes — Collateral.
    The purchaser before maturity of a promissory note drawn in the ordinary form, and not referring to collateral, is not bound to inquire whether there is collateral accompanying it or not.
    Appeal from judgment entered by direction of trial judge in favor of plaintiff.
    
      Andrews & Purdy, for app’lt; Reynolds & Harrison, for resp’ts.
   Per Curiam.

The plaintiffs became bona fide holders of the note in suit for value, and without notice, before maturity. This is the legal presumption, and it was not negatived. The note is in the ordinary form, makes no reference to collateral, and the plaintiffs were not bound to inquire or ascertain whether there was collateral accompanying it or not. The note is not printed, but there is nothing in the case to show that it differs in any way from an ordinary promise to pay. The defendant offered nothing which changed the burden of proof, or in any way altered the legal presumption. The record offered in evidence was ruled out; it was between different parties, and was apparently inadmissible. The record is not before the court, is not printed in the case, and we are unable to determine that any error was committed. The colloquy between the court and counsel after the verdict was directed, does not make the direction erroneous. It follows, therefore, that the judgment appealed from must be affirmed, with costs.

McAdam, Ch. J., and Holme, J., concur.