82 N.Y. 400 | NY | 1880
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *403 This case involves the question whether the statute of limitations is a defense to a check which, for some unexplained reason, has not been presented for payment and payment demanded and refused until ten years after its date. Upon the trial evidence was introduced tending to show that the defendant, the maker, had no funds on deposit in the bank subject to the payment of the check at the time of its date, or at any other time during the period of six years thereafter. At the close of the testimony upon the trial a nonsuit was asked, upon the ground, among others, that there being no funds, the check was due at the time it was delivered and the statute of limitations had run against it, which was refused and an exception taken by the defendant to the ruling. The court was also requested to charge the jury that there being no funds the right of action accrued at once, without presentation or notice of non-payment, and the action was barred by the statute of limitations. This also was refused and the defendant duly excepted.
If the evidence established that there were no funds in the bank to meet the check when it was drawn, the check was due immediately and the judge was wrong in his refusal to charge the jury as requested. The rule is well established that if the drawer has no funds in the hands of the drawee, an action can be maintained against the former without any presentment or notice of non-payment. (Mohawk Bank v. Broderick, 10 Wend. 304;Fitch v. Redding, 4 Sandf. 130; Healy v. Gilman, 1 Bosw. 235; Johnson v. Bank of North America, 5 Robt. 554.) As the cause of action was complete when the check was made, and the plaintiff could allege a want of funds as an excuse for non-presentment of the check, and no presentment was required, it is very clear that the statute began to run from its date.
It is insisted that the want of funds in the bank is the result of the fraudulent act of the drawer, which operates as a waiver of presentment, and the defendant is estopped from alleging any such fact, and that it is no defense to an action upon the check. We are unable to see upon what ground the doctrine *404 of estoppel can be invoked under the circumstances, and the position taken cannot be upheld. The want of funds is an established fact in the case, which affects the liability of the drawer and relieves the holder from the obligation ordinarily incurred to present the check. It renders it due without presentment and demand; and being due, no reason exists why this fact is not available to the drawer as well as the holder. While the drawer fails to provide funds, the holder neglects to present the check; and both parties are thus in fault. The holder may avail himself of the maker's default by bringing a suit immediately without any demand, and if he delays to enforce his claim by action within six years, the drawer may plead the statute of limitations as a bar. If the check is due, so that the holder can collect it without delay, it is due as to both the parties, and each is entitled to the benefit arising from the facts actually existing. The breach of the contract is the cause of action, and the statute begins to run from the time of such breach, even if there is fraud on the part of the defendant. (The East India Co. v. Paul, 1 Eng. L. Eq. 44, 49;Battley v. Faulkner, 3 Barn. Ald. 288; Whitehouse v.Fellowes, 100 Eng. Com. Law, 765; Wilkinson v. Verity, 6 Eng. L.R. Com. Pl. 206, 209.) It may also be remarked that the action to recover the amount of the check on the ground of a want of funds rests on contract, and the same measure of damages is recoverable as if the check had been presented for payment and was not paid. The cause of action is the same in each case, and the statute runs equally against any form of action arising from the non-payment of the check.
As the order granting a new trial must be upheld upon the ground already discussed, it is not necessary to consider the question whether the statute of limitations runs against the check from the day of its date without regard to the want of funds, and without any presentment and demand of payment.
The order should be affirmed and judgment absolute ordered for the defendant upon the stipulation, with costs.
All concur.
Order affirmed and judgment accordingly. *405
