Case Name: George R. Lyman and another vs. Rasmussen & Nelson
Court: Minnesota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Minnesota
Decision Date: 1880-12-28
Citations: 27 Minn. 384
Docket Number: 
Parties: George R. Lyman and another vs. Rasmussen & Nelson.
Judges: 
Reporter: Minnesota Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 384–385

Head Matter:
George R. Lyman and another vs. Rasmussen & Nelson.
December 28, 1880.
Extension of Time of Payment of Debt. — A valid agreement to extend the time of payment of a debt is a defence to an action on the debt during the time of the extension.
Appeal by plaintiffs from a judgment of the district court, for Freeborn county.
John Whytock, for appellants.
Lovely & Morgan, for respondents.

Opinion:
Gilfillan, C. J.
Action for goods sold and delivered. Thedefence was that after the debt became due the defendants transferred to plaintiff two promissory notes of third persons-as collateral security for the debt, in consideration whereof the plaintiff agreed with defendants that the time for payment of the debt should be extended to April 1, 1879. The action was brought before that date.
Whether a covenant not to sue within a given time be a defence, or, as some eases hold, be not a defence, to an action brought within the time, we have no hesitation in holding that a valid extension of the time of payment is a defence to an action brought within the time of the extension. During such time the debtor is not in default; the debt is not demandable, not due. So far as there may have been a default, and a right to sue for it prior to the time of the agreement to extend the time of payment, it must be taken to be waived by the extension. Such is of course the intention of the parties to the agreement; and where the agreement is valid, there can be no reason why a court should disregard it.
Judgment affirmed.