11 Ala. 822 | Ala. | 1847
We do not consider it necessary to determine whether such a case as this, is one in which the court would compel the defendant to join in a demurrer to evidence, because, conceding it be such, the court erred in its judgment. We have made the preceding remarks, because it is by analogy to a demurrer to evidence only, that such a charge as the present can be sustained.
No question arises upon this writ of error, of the propriety of the admission of the declarations of R. H. Goldthwaite, that he was the agent of his brother. We must therefore
**» It is not shown how much the rent was, nor is it shown that this note was given for the rent, but it bears date about that period, is payable to G. Goldthwaite, who, from the proof, it appears assumed to act for Mclvor, in relation to the rent of the plantation, as he delegated his brother to ascertain the amount of the improvements, which was to be allowed as a credit against the rent. The note in suit was once in the possession oí R. H. G., as the initials of his name, in his hand-writing are found upon it. And this note is af-terwards put in suit by Mclvor, to whom it has been assigned without date and without recourse, by the payee. We will not say that this array of circumstances, unexplained, would compel a jury to infer that this note was given for the rent of the Mclvor place, and was entitled to a discount of $200, for the improvements made by the tenant, but if the jury had so found, no court should have granted a new trial, and it follows that a court assuming to pass upon the effect of the evidence, was unauthorized to say, that a jury must have found for the defendant.
The facts proved in regard to the payment in the office of the payee of the note, shortly after its maturity, would be conclusive if the suit were now in the name of the payee, and the facts were not explained by him, so as to relieve the case from the natural and legal inference, that it was a payment of the note.
It is contended, that as the note is payable in bank, and therefore under our statute to be governed by the commercial law, and as the presumption arising from the blank in-dorsement is, that it was transferred before it was due, no evidence of set off or payment as against the payee is admissible. This is doubtless the general rule. Waiving for the present the consideration of the question, whether this
It is not necessary to protest an inland bill of exchange to enable the holder to sue. The only effect of the protest is, to entitle the holder to damages. [Leigh & Co. v. Lightfoot, at the present term.] Let the judgment be reversed, and the cause remanded.