6 Blackf. 387 | Ind. | 1843
The plaintiff commencedtwo actions of debt against Sisloff and Reineking, before a justice of the peace. The suits were founded on three notes of $50.00 each, and one of $46.00. The process was served on Reineking and returned not found as to Sisloff. The judgments of the justice were appealed to the Circuit Court where the suits were consolidated. The defendant had leave to amend his defense, and, thereupon, as to the three notes of $50.00 each, pleaded nil debet, and swore to his plea. . The execution of the note for $46.00 was not denied. The Court gave judgment against the defendant for the amount of the last named note; from which judgment the plaintiff prosecutes this writ of error.
At the trial, the partnership of Sisloff and the defendant was proved. It was also proved, that during the existence of the partnership, Sisloff made and signed the notes on which the suits were brought as stated in the record. The defendant then introduced a witness, by whom he proved that the notes were given in consideration of cash to that amount, which had been received by Sisloff from certain contractors on the public works who were indebted to Hickman, who had authorized Sisloff to collect the money for him. The plaintiff thereupon offered to prove that Sisloff, during the existence of the partnership, had declared that the money received by him as proved by the defendant’s witness, had been applied and used by himself and partner in the partnership business. The defendant objected to the evidence, and the Court sustained the objection. The refusal of the Court to receive the statements of Sisloff as evidence, is the error complained of.
The Court decided correctly in rejecting the declarations
A private creditor of one of several partners who takes a bill or note on the partnership credit, drawn by his debtor, and without the knowledge of the other partners, commits a fraud on the partnership, and in his hands the bill or note is void. Green v. Deakin, 2 Stark., 347; Wells v. Masterman et al., 2 Esp. R., 731: Arden v. Sharpe et al., Ib., 524; Cary on Part., 41, 2.
Per Curiam.—The judgment is affirmed, with costs.