Case Name: Beers and another against Hawley and others
Court: Connecticut Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1819-06-24
Citations: 3 Conn. 110
Docket Number: 
Parties: Beers and another against Hawley and others.
Judges: Peters, Brainard and Bristol, Js. were of the same opinion.
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 110–111

Head Matter:
Beers and another against Hawley and others.
New-Haven,
June 24.
Though on a bill'for foreclosure, the mortgage deed, and the securities therein described, are admitted, this will not dispense with the production of those securities, or accounting for their non-production, to enable the court to find the amount of the mortgage debt due at the time of the decree.
A new trial having been granted in this cause, (2 Conn. Rep. 467. 473.) the parties were heard again, before the superior court, in Fairfield county, December term, 1818.
The condition of Hawley’s mortgage deed to Minor was as follows : “ That whereas the said Isaac Hawley is justly indebted to said Truman Minor, by note, dated February 11th, 1808, for the sum of 528 dollars, payable one year from date ; one note, dated April 2nd, 1811, for the sum of 1250 dollars, payable the first day of February, next after date; one note, dated May 27th, 1811, for the sum of 225 dollars, payable the first day of November, next after date ; one note, dated May 29th, 1811, for the sum of 300 dollars, payable in one year from date ; one note, dated November 27th, 1811, for the sum of 240 dollars, payable in sixty days from date ; and one other note, signed jointly and severally by said Hawley and said Minor, for the proper and soie'debt of said Hawley, for the sum of six hundred dollars, payable to Philo Booth, on demand, with interest: Now, if said Hawley shall well and truly pay, or cause the said notes to be paid, with the interest thereof,, by the first day of April next, then this deed to be null and void, otherwise, to be and remain in full force and virtue in law.’’ Minor held these notes, at'the time of the hearing, having nevr er assigned them to the plaintiffs. They were not produced to the court, nor did the plaintiffs give any evidence respecting them ; notwithstanding which, the court found, that there was due from Hawley to Minor, on these notes, the sum of 4573 dollars, and 8 cents, and thereupon passed a decree of foreclosure in the plaintiffs’ favour. Wright, one of the defendants, moved for a new trial, on several grounds ; one of which was, the insufficiency of the bill, and another, the passing of the decree, without the production of the notes.
N. Smith and Hatch, in support of the motion.
Daggett and Sherman, contra.

Opinion:
Hosmer, Ch J.
Upon the questions arising on the record, 1 shall suppress the expression of an opinion, until it can be given with legal effect.
In respect of the matter presented by the motion, the court adjudged incorrectly, by finding a certain sum to be due, without the production of the notes. In this point William Wright has an interest; for if the debt is paid, or diminished, thus far the estate is relieved of an incumbrance. The best evidence the nature of the case admits of, is the notes; and secondary evidence to prove their contents is incompetent, until a notice for the production of them has been duly served.:— 2 Term Rep. 201. 2 Day 328. The defendant, Wright, ought not to be exposed to the uncertainty of parol testimony, until, after proper efforts, it becomes apparent that the written evidence cannot be obtained. The condition of the deed does not supersede the necessity for the production of the notes. They may be invalidated by interlinations, or indorsements on them may show that they have been paid. When a defendant permits judgment to pass by default, he admits the cause of action ; but if the action is on note, or bill of exchange, it must be produced, on executing the writ of enquiry, that it may be seen whether any part of it has been paid. Bevis v. Lindsell, 2 Stra. 1149. Anon. 3 Wils. 155. Thelluson v. Fletcher, Doug. 301. Green v. Hearne, 3 Term Rep. 301. The superi- or court, in relation to the sum due, adjudged without evidence ; and for this reason, I would advise a new trial.
Peters, Brainard and Bristol, Js. were of the same opinion.
Chapman, J,, gave no opinion, having been of counsel in the cause.
New trial to be granted.