Court Opinion

ID: 4927722
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 00:59:10.02435+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:29.421829
License: Public Domain

The opinion of the Court was drawn up by
Tenney J.
— This is an action of assumpsit for money had and received; and also for not collecting and paying to the plaintiffs the amount of two notes of hand due to them from Benjamin C. Atwood, and which are alleged to have been sent to the defendant as an attorney at law for collection.
The deposition of B. C. Atwood is objected to because it is not taken according to the provisions of the statute; 1st, that the notice to the defendant is insufficient; and 2d that the deposition was not taken at the time appointed in the notice. The statute does not require that the form therein should be exactly pursued, but that it shall be in substance according to that form. The notice served upon the defendant is a compliance with the statute. ' The justice was present at the time and place appointed in the notice, but the deponent having neglected to appear although duly summoned, the justice adjourned the taking of the deposition to the day on which it was taken, and issued a capias against the deponent, who was brought in thereon. Every thing was done, which is required by the 36th section of chap. 133 of Rev. Stat. If the defendant had been present at the time he was notified to attend, he would have known of the adjournment; having neglected to be present at the time first appointed, he cannot complain, that he was not notified afterwards.
It appears from the records, that judgments were rendered in two actions in favor of the plaintiffs against said Atwood, at the June Term of the late Court of Common Pleas in the County of Somerset, in the year 1835, on notes of hand. Copies of the returns of the officer, who served the writs in those actions show, that a large amount of personal property was attached upon each. In a letter of the 19th Sept. 1836, to the plaintiffs, the defendant writes, that he will forward the balance of what may be due them as soon as obtained, or earlier by a convenient opportunity. And on January 28, *3591840, after this action was commenced, he writes that he will arrange it as it ought to be before the first of May.
The deposition of Atwood shows, that he was called upon by the defendant, who told him, that Dorrance &, Ross had sent the demands to him to collect, and said he supposed he must collect them. He further testifies, that he paid money to the defendant at different times, but is unable to state the amount; that he left with him three executions, without directing the appropriation of the money, when it should be received.
We are satisfied from this evidence, that the defendant was an acting attorney at law, and that he received the notes, as alleged in the writ, for collection. That the copies of the record, and the facts stated by Atwood are prima facie evidence, that Atwood was of sufficient ability to pay the notes. More than three years elapsed after judgments were recovered upon those notes before this action was commenced; and as no evidence is offered to show any reason for the delay, we think the defendant is liable on the second count. The sum claimed is much less than the amount originally due from Atwood, and there is no evidence of the precise sums paid by the defendant.
Judgment must be entered for the plaintiffs for the sum claimed, and interest from the date of the writ.