9 Port. 549 | Ala. | 1839
It is very properly admitted, by the counsel for the plaintiff in error, that he cannot succeed on the first point presented by this case, unless the decision of this court, in the case of Robinson vs. Cren-shaw, (2 Stew. <fc Por. 276,) shall be oyerruled, as the precise question now raised, was then determined.— Whatever doubts wp might entertain, if the question was res integra., we feel constrained to abide by that decision} and are not disposed to re-consider it.
As a compromise of a prosecution of this description, js a sufficient consideration, in law, to uphold a promissory note, the other question, as to the failure of its consideration, must be governed by the same rules as are applicable to other cases of contract.
The contract between these parties was reduced to writing, and being before the County court, its duty was to determine and pronounce on the legal effect, which was to be ascertained from the plain and obvious meaning of the terms used. It cannot be denied, that if the plaintiff’s intestate had stipulated, as the consideration of the notes, that the bastardy suit should be dismissed, or that no new suit should be commenced or prosecuted, that a failure of consideration would have ensued, if the suit was not dismissed, or was subsequently renewed;
There is no error in the record, and the judgment is affirmed.