Case Name: HOLY et al. v. RHODES
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1821-05
Citations: 12 F. Cas. 439
Docket Number: 
Parties: HOLY et al. v. RHODES.
Judges: (THRUSTON, Circuit Judge, absent),
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 12
Pages: 439–440

Head Matter:
Case No. 6,651.
HOLY et al. v. RHODES.
[2 Cranch, C. C. 245.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
May Term, 1821.
PitoMissoKT Note — Maker—Defence—Assignment.
It is no defence, at law, to an action by the as-signee against the maker of a promissory note, that it was given for the purchase of land which the payee had not conveyed to the defendant as he had covenanted to do upon a previous cash payment made by the defendant; although the note was assigned to the plaintiffs after it was dishonored.
Debt by the assignees of John Johnston’s promissory note for $550.
Mr. Swann, for defendant'
[William Rhodes], offered evidence that the note was assigned to the plaintiffs [Holy & Suckley] after it was dishonored; that it was given to Johnston in part payment for a house and lot; and that Johnston had not made the title which he had bound himself by his covenant under seal, and under a penalty to make, on payment of $500 in cash, which were paid. The defendant had not demanded the conveyance, and Johnston was always ready and able to make it.

Opinion:
THE COURT
(THRUSTON, Circuit Judge, absent),
upon the motion of Mr. Taylor, for plaintiffs, instructed the jury that this was no defence. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiffs.