Case Name: POYDRAS vs. BELL
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1840-02
Citations: 14 La. 391
Docket Number: 
Parties: POYDRAS vs. BELL.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 14
Pages: 391–392

Head Matter:
POYDRAS vs. BELL.
Eastern Dist.
February, 1840.
APPEAL PROM THE COURT OP THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
The certificate of the notary is •prima facie evidence of a demand on the maker of a note, and that it was made at his domicil, at the place stated therein, although it be not so set forth in the petition.
This is an action against the endorser of a promissory note. The plaintiff alleges, that, at maturity, said note was presented for payment at the store of the maker, (J. C. Morris) in St. Francisville, and protested for non-payment, and due notice thereof given to the endorser.
The defendant pleaded a general denial, and denied specially that any demand of payment was made on the maker of the note, and prays to be dismissed.
The plaintiff offered in evidence the note, protest and notary’s certificate. The notary states in his certificate, that he went to the store of the maker of the note, in St. Francis-ville, on the day it became due, and demanded payment of his clerk (Morris being out), who replied he had no funds to pay it. Notice of protest was then put in the post-office at St. Francisville, directed to the endorser at New-Orleans, the place of his residence. It was in proof, that J. C. Morris, the maker of the note, kept a store at Bayou Sarah.
Upon this evidence, there was judgment for the plaintiff, and the defendant appealed.
L. Janin, for the plaintiff.
Mitchell, contra.

Opinion:
Morphy, J.,
delivered the opinion of the court.
This is an action against the defendant, as endorser of a promissory note drawn by one J. C. Morris. The only point made turns on the sufficiency of the demand made, on the maker of the note. It is proved by the notary's certificate, made out in conformity with the act of the 13th of March, 1827. The notary states, that a demand was made at the S(i0re of the maker at St. Francisville, in the parish of West Feliciana. This is said to be insufficient, because the plain-petition does not allege and set forth the maker's domicil to be there; and because, no place being mentioned in the note, the presumption is, that the drawer resides in New-Orleans, which is the residence of the payee. The presumption, if any exists, may be, that the note was executed in New-Orleans, but not that the maker had his domicil there. Be that' as it' may, the notary's certificate forms 'primii facie evidence that the demand was made at the proper place, and is, per se, sufficient until rebutted by direct proof. The appellee has prayed for damages; they cannot be awarded, because he has not demanded them in due time, in accordance with article 890, of the Code of Practice.
It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed, with costs.