Court Opinion

ID: 4928529
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 01:00:29.158785+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:12.974757
License: Public Domain

Howard, J.
— It appears, by the report before us, that the plaintiff brought this suit, as indorsee, on two promissory notes signed by the defendant, dated September 11, 1835, for $200 each, and payable in one, and two years, respectively, to Thomas Bradbury and C. G. Bryant, or their order. Bradbury and Bryant indorsed the notes in blank, except that the words, “ without recourse,” were appended to each of their names.
The defendant pleaded the general issue, and offered in evidence the deposition of Thomas Bradbury, one of the payees; to the admission of which, the plaintiff objected, “ on *391the ground that the deponent was not competent to testify to facts showing the notes to be void at their inception.”
The presiding Judge rejected the deposition and a default was entered, which, by agreement, is to stand, if that ruling was correct, or to be taken off, and the action to stand for trial, if the deposition is admissible.
The only question presented to us is, whether the deposition of Bradbury is admissible, as evidence in the case.
The maker of a note may call the payee, who indorses without recourse, and who, in other respects, is a competent witness, to prove any facts in defence which do not impeach the original validity of the note, and which do not impair the credit or character which he has given to it. But whether he can prove, further, by the same witness, that the note was void in its inception and that it was obtained for the indorsee, by his consent and procurement, through the agency of the witness, and with a knowledge of all the facts, are questions W'hich are not presented by the report.
Bradbury might have been a competent witness for the defendant, to prove when the notes were indorsed to the plaintiff; the execution of the bond between the parties to this suit, and for the surrender of which the notes are alleged to have been given ; the execution of the contracts between the witness and the plaintiff, of August 19, and of September 11, 1835; to what amount notes were given for the surrender of the bond ; what disposition was made of them, and whether or not the plaintiff was present at the transaction. His deposition tended to prove these facts which appear to have constituted a part of the defence, and it was therefore admissible. But whether there are portions of it objectionable, and whether the w'hole, or any admissible portions of it, prove these notes void in their inception, are not questions submitted to us.
According to the agreement of the parties the default is to be taken off, and the case is to stand for trial.