Cox v. Hazard

| Ind. | Jun 3, 1845

Blackford, J.

— This was an action of assumpsit brought by Hazard against Cox and Morrow on a promissory note. The note was dated on the 1st of December, 1836, payable 90 days after date to James Conwell or order, and indorsed by Conwell to the plaintiff.

Pleas, 1. The general issue. 2. That the note was executed in part consideration of lots numbered 19 and 20 in the town of Laurel; that on the execution of the note, the payee gave his title-bond to the defendants, the condition of which (after reciting that he had received one-third of the purchase-money, and the defendants’ note for the residue payable in three years) was for the making to the defendants a deed for said lots with relinquishment of dower, upon payment of the residue of the purchase-money; that four years elapsed after the said note and bond were given before this suit was commenced ; that the note sued on was given for the one-third of the purchase-money alleged in the bond to have been paid; and that Conwell did not on the 1st of December, 1839, or at any time previously, execute or offer to execute to the defendants, or to either of them, a deed for said lots; wherefore the consideration of the note had failed.

J. 8. Newman, for the plaintiffs. G. II Dunn, P. L. Spooner, and P. A. Hackleman, for the defendant.

General demurrer to the special plea,- and the demurrer sustained. The cause was submitted to the Court on the general issue, and judgment rendered for the plaintiff.

As the plaintiff did not sue on the note described in the declaration, till the whole of the purchase-money was due, the case stands on the same ground on which it would have stood, had the suit been on the note for the residue of the purchase-money. The plaintiff must have offered to execute the deed before the commencement of the suit. The plea is bad for omitting to aver that such offer had not been made. This is not like the case where the purchase-money is to be paid and the deed executed on the same day. Here the deed was to be made on payment of the residue of the purchase-money; and it is therefore sufficient for the plaintiff, if he offered the deed before he commenced the suit.

The record does not show what evidence was given on the trial, or that any objection was made to the proceedings subsequent to the sustaining of the demurrer to the special plea.

Per Curiam.

— The judgment is affirmed, with 5 per cent. damages and costs.