Court Opinion

ID: 4932864
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 01:10:22.971511+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:33.137859
License: Public Domain

Peters, J.
The principal question in this case was substantially settled by the decision in Abbott v. Rose, 62 Maine, 194. It was there held, that a person who negligently signs and delivers to another a printed blank note, not knowing it to be such, but supposing it to be some other agreement, was liable thereon, if the blanks were afterwards wrongfully filled, and the note then transferred to a bona fide holder for value, without notice of the fraud. In this case, instead of an unfinished written promise, the paper executed by the defendant is a completed negotiable note. Although obtained from the defendant by circumvention and fraud, we think he is liable thereon to an innocent holder of the note. We are aware that there are many cases in the diferent states, where the tendency of the decisions may be the other way. The authorities are conflicting. But in consideration of the importance that attaches in a commercial community to a free and safe circulation of negotiable paper, and taking into account the temptations -which impel men to resort to evasion and falsehood to avoid negotiable obligations given by them in speculations which result in loss and disaster, we are satisfied that our view of the law upon this question is most in accordance with the prirtciples of justice and equity to all parties concerned. It is admitted, in all the cases where a different policy or doctrine is accepted, that a liability may exist, if there is any fault or negligence on the part of the maker of such note. In our opinion, the facts of this case clearly show a heedlessness by the defendant and want of care. We by no means mean to be understood as saying that a person may be holden in every case where his signature to a note has been surreptitiously obtained. Many cases might occur where the maker would be in no fault. But the de*62fendant signed a paper which he knew was to be effectual for some purpose by means of his name thereto, and was in fault for intrusting it with an adversely interested party, without knowing himself what it was. By this act he inflicts a loss upon an innocent party unless he bears the loss himself. We think he should bear the penalty of his own folly and mistake. Caveat emptor does not apply in such a case.
It is contended that the defendant is not liable, because the obtaining the note from him in the manner in which it was done, was an act of forgery, and not merely a fraud. In Foster v. McKinnon, 4 Law R., C. P., 704, much quoted in cases, it is said that the maker of such a note “never intended to sign, and therefore, in contemplation of law, never did sign the contract to which his name is appended; . . . that his mind never went with the act.” It might be forgery as far as the original parties to the note are concerned, or in a criminal prosecution of the offender, as virtually settled in State v. Shurtleff, 18 Maine, 368. But the answer to this objection is, that in a suit by an innocent holder, the maker is estopped by his own fault and negligence from setting up a defense of forgery. Abbott v. Rose, supra. Van Duzer v. Howe, 21 N. Y., 531. The principle is clearly and correctly enunciated in a late case in Missouri, not yet reported, thus: “Where it appears that the party sought to be charged intended to bind himself by some obligation in writing, and voluntarily signed his name to what he supposed to be the obligation he intended to execute, having full and unrestricted means of ascertaining the true character of such instrument before signing it, but neglecting to avail himself of such means of information, and relying on the representations of another as to the contents of the instrument, signed »and delivered a negotiable promissory note, instead of the instrument, he intended to sign, he cannot be heard to impeach its validity in the hands of a bona fide holder.” Am. L. Reg., Sept., 1875, 480. See also Nebeker v. Cutsinger,48 Ind., 14.
It is, however, further contended that the defendant is not liable, because the judge presiding found as matter of fact that the note was given by the defendant without negligence on his part. But it was an error on the part of the judge to make such finding. *63What constitutes negligence in a case like this, where the facts are clear and unequivocal, is a question of law. The testimony of the defendant is uncontradicted. No fact is in doubt or dispute ; no question about motive or intent to be judged of. There are no attendant circumstances or exigencies to be weighed or considered, affecting the rights of the parties. The whole evidence, with all possible inferences which can be legitimately based upon it, cannot exculpate the defendant from the negligence imputed to him. Therefore it was not competent for the judge to make the deduction upon the facts that he did make. The point was one of law, and not of fact; and wrongly decided. This conclusion is well sustained by the authorities. Gilbert v. Woodbury, 22 Maine, 246. Davis v. Greene, id., 254. Todd v. Whitney, 27 Maine, 480. Sawyer v. Nichols, 40 Maine, 212. Lane v. O. C. & F. R. R. Co., 14 Gray, 143. Gavett v. M. & L. R. Co., 16 Gray, 501. Gahagan v. B. & L. R. Co., 1 Allen, 187.

Exceptions sustained.

New trial granted.

Appleton, O. J., Walton, Dickerson, Barrows and Virgin, JJ., concurred.