43 N.H. 128 | N.H. | 1861
The order in this case has many of the requisites of a negotiable note or bill of exchange. It is payable to J. Harriman or bearer, and is a direction for the payment of money. It has the want of the words “ value received.” These words may be omitted, and proof furnished aliunde to supply a good consideration, if it has the other qualities necessary to a bill of exchange. These words are ordinarily inserted both in a bill of exchange or check for the payment of money. Their absence is not conclusive against it, but creates suspicious circumstances, to be weighed in forming a judgment as to the meaning and intent of the paper. So are the words constituting the concluding phrase of the order, namely, “and this shall be your warrant for so doing, and good as my receipt for the said money,” also unusual in bills of exchange, and indicate that it was a mere authority conferred to receive pay, and to receipt for the money, and nothing more. This order can lie regarded as no more than
“A draft that has not been accepted, and a bank check, should not be paid after notice from the drawer countermanding the authority.” Edwards on Bills 546, and authorities there cited.
There is still another legal, and perhaps more technical objection, but equally fatal to the plaintiff’s right to maintain this action. In order that a bill of exchange be good, it must be for the payment of money only and absolutely, and not contingent, either as to amount, event, fund, or person. Chit. on Bills 132. This is on account of certainty and precision in mercantile affairs. Ibid. 137. This order being regarded as payable out of a particular fund, or as the delivery of a particular package of money, is not negotiable, and the plaintiff can not therefore maintain this action. 3 Kent’s Com. 94; Chitt. on Bills, note 10; Reeside in Error, 2 Wheat. 233; 2 Blackf. 47; Cushing v. Satterlee, 6 Cow. 108; Jeremy v. Hale, 1 Str. 595. The rule is uniform that whenever the order or bill is drawn on a particular fund, it is not negotiable.
The conclusion is, that the ruling of the referee was correct, that this action could not be maintained.