Court Opinion

ID: 5456182
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-09 19:19:54.454665+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:32:39.982182
License: Public Domain

Balcom, J.
—The instrument in question is a valid promissory note, although it does not contain the words for value received, or any words tantamount to them. (Edwards on Bills and Promissory Notes, 56, 78 ; 1 Cow., 2d ed., 163.)
The defendant’s counsel does not deny but that McCabe was liable on the note; but he contends that the defendant is not liable on it, because he signed it as surety, and did not receive any consideration therefor. He insists that the statute of frauds applies to the case, and exempts the defendant from the payment of the note. The statute -is, that “ every special promise to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another,” shall be void, unless the agreement containing such promise, or some • note or memorandum thereof expressing the consideration, be in writing, and subscribed by the party to be charged therewith. (2 Rev. Stat., 135, § 2.)
McCabe owed the plaintiff the money mentioned in the note; and the defendant, though in fact a mere surety, signed the note as principal, with McCabe. The note, therefore, was not a special promise by the defendant to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of McCabe.
I think the debt, for which the note was given, a sufficient consideration to uphold the note against the defendant as well as McCabe. The note, on its face, is an original undertaking of both of them.
If the defendant had indorsed the note for the accommoda- ’ tion of McCabe, instead of signing it as maker, he would clearly have been liable on it, if it had been duly protested for nonpayment ; and I am unable to see why he is not liable on it as maker.
I am of the opinion that the statute of frauds does not apply to the case ; and that the jury were properly directed to find a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for the amount of the note.
The point that the defendant supposed he was only signing his name to the note as a witness when he wrote it, is untenable ; for his answer concedes be signed it as surety.
I think there was no question for the jury upon the evidence; and that the defendant’s motion for a new trial should be denied, with $10 costs.