47 N.Y. 439 | NY | 1872
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *441
The plaintiffs never in fact parted with the ownership of the note to Van Saun Son; but, by their indorsement of it, they did give the apparent title of it to Van Saun Son. It is the law in this State that where persons in the business of banking and collecting send to their correspondents or agents, in the regular course of business of receiving and sending notes between them for collection for mutual account, business paper received from customers for collection, the agent or correspondent acquires no *442
better title to it or to its proceeds than was owned by the one transmitting it, unless there is a bona fide purchase of it for value or advances made upon it in good faith, without notice of any defect in the title. (See McBride v. Farmers' Bank,
It is true that the defendants had sent forward to Van Saun Son drafts for the defendants' credit, and that they were sent in anticipation of collections; but no remittance was in anticipation of the collections of any particular note, even if such remittance would have availed to defendants' benefit. The drafts were sent, to be put to the credit of the defendants as a general remittance in account current. It is not to be inferred from the course of business between Van Saun Son and the defendants, as shown by the testimony, that had the maker of this note refused or omitted to pay the same, and Van Saun Son had continued solvent, the defendants would have been obliged to seek their reimbursement for remittances made, from the maker and indorsers of the note. *443 The note would have been protested, according to the direction to that effect, contained in the letter in which it was transmitted for collection, and the defendants would have sought from Van Saun Son immediately, payment of any balance of indebtedness.
It cannot be held then, in view of the decisions above cited, that from this course of dealing the defendants became the owners of such notes as were in their hands at the time of the failure of Van Saun Son, or of the proceeds of such as had been paid, to which notes or proceeds Van Saun Son had no title as against their principals, the real owners.
The judgment appealed from should be reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to abide the event.
All concur.
Judgment reversed.