Case Name: GEORGE S. HOWLAND, Respondent, v. A. S. MARVIN, Executor of Marvin McNulty, Appellant
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1855
Citations: 5 Cal. 501
Docket Number: 
Parties: GEORGE S. HOWLAND, Respondent, v. A. S. MARVIN, Executor of Marvin McNulty, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 501–502

Head Matter:
GEORGE S. HOWLAND, Respondent, v. A. S. MARVIN, Executor of Marvin McNulty, Appellant.
A covenant not to sue for five years, is no bar to the action, but the defendant must rely upon the covenant for his remedy.
Appeal from the Superior Court of the City of San Francisco.
B. S. Brooks, for Appellant.
The suit was prematurely brought, because no action could be maintained until the expiration of the covenant. Robinson v, Godfrey, 2 Michigan R., 408. McCrackan v. Hayward, 2 How., 612. Story on Bills, §§ 409, 413, 414. 2 Bac. Ab., 614. Fullham v. Valentine, 11 Pick., 160. Bank U. S. v. Hatch, 6 Pet., 250. Hubbly v. Brown, 16 Johns., 70. Tatlock v. Smith, 19 Eng. C. L. R., 94. Stracy v. Bank of England, Ib., 232. Allys v. Probyn, 2 Crompt. Mees. & Rosc., 408.
E. B. Mastick, for Respondent.
No brief on file.

Opinion:
Heydenfeldt, J, delivered the opinion of the Court.
Murray, C. J., concurred.
The covenant relied upon by the defense, is only a covenant not to sue for five years.
In such cases it has been uniformly decided, that the covenant is no bar to the action, but that the defendant must be turned to his remedy upon the covenant. See 7 Harris & Johns , 92. 1 Halsted, 429. 8 Pick, 229. 6 Wendell, 471. 2 Blackf., 119.
Judgment affirmed.