Case Name: McNamara et al. v. Jarvis et al.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1847-05
Citations: 2 La. Ann. 591
Docket Number: 
Parties: McNamara et al. v. Jarvis et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 591–592

Head Matter:
McNamara et al. v. Jarvis et al.
íhe failure of any of the obligors named in an instrument to sign it, authorises the others to retract; but they mu'st do so seasonably, before the contract taires- effect.
Where in an action by Creditors against the sureties in an administrator’s bond, defendants plead that they have been discharged by the gross negligence of plaintiffs, it is an admission of their liability unless negligence be shown, and a waiver of any defects of form' in the execution of the bond.
Appeal from the Second' District Court of NeW Orleans, Canon, J.
Peyton and I. W. Smith, for the plaintiffs. Winthrop, for the appellant,
cited Wells v. Dill, 1 Mart. N. S. 593. Pothier, Obilg, no. 11. 4 Cranch, 219.

Opinion:
The judgment of the court was pronounced by
Rost, J.
The plaintiffs, being creditors of the late John Dwyer, were placed- as such, for the dividends coming to them,- on the tableau of distribution filed by the administrator of his succession. The tableau was duly homologated, and the administrator having failed to pay over the dividends,- writs of fi. fa. were issued against him, and returned by the sheriff — no property found. This action was instituted- against the sureties on the administrator's bond, for the amount of the unpaid dividends. The defendant, Jarvis, filed a general denial; admitted his signature to-the bond, but resisted the claim of the plaintiffs, on the ground that he was discharged from all liability, in consequence of their gross negligence and inattention in enforcing their claims against the administrator. He further alleged that, if not so discharged, Mary, and Sally Dwyer, two of the plaintiffs, had received on account the sum of 1400, for which credit should be given. There was judgment, in sólido, against him and another of the defendants, and he appealed.
The allegations in the answer of the appellant are not sustained by proof; but Ms counsel asks the reversal of the judgment, on a point not put at issue. He alleges that the name of Goodrich, one of the sureties named in the body of the bond, was signed without authority by his attorney in fact, Thomas; and that the name of Stetson was substituted for that of 'Andrews, who did not sign the bond, although his name is also inserted in the body of it.
Had this plea been made in the answer, we are not prepared to say that, aft61' ^10 a'PPefiant had suffered the contract in which he entered to be executed Without opposition and rights to be acquired by third persons under it, he Could avail himself of that informality. We admit the doctrine, contended for by the appellant, that the failure' of any Of the obligors named i'if the instrument to sign' it, gives the others the right to retract. But we apprehend that it is incumbent Upon them to do so seasonably, a'n'd before' the contract takes effect. The opinion of Jtfáge Marshall, relied on by the appellant, clearly lays down the distinction. The question in'that case was, whether the instrument was delivered absolutely, or merely as an escrow. On the evidence adduced, the court considered that a jury might well have found the issue in favor of the' defendants, and gave judgment on the deniurrer accordingly. BUt if it had been clearly shown that the instrument had been delivered absolutely, the judgment must have been otherwise'. 4 Cranch, 219.
But this plea appears to us inconsistent With the ansWer, and canribt be entertairled. The allegation that the sureties Were discharged' in consequence of the gross negligence of the plaintiffs, necessarily admits the liability of the de-1 fendants, if negligence is not shown. This defence is a waiver of all defects of form, and the appellant must abide by the issue he has deliberately made.
Judgment affirmed.