57 Ala. 96 | Ala. | 1876
The holder and the indorser of the bill resided in the city of Selma, where the bill was payable. The rule of the law merchant, as it has been invariably recognized in this State, is, that to fix the liability of the indorser, the notice of the dishonor must be personal — that is, given to him in person, or left at his place of business, or at his residence. Notice deposited in the post-office is insufficient, unless the bill is payable at a bank, which by usage has adopted that mode of giving notice—Stephenson v. Primrose, 8 Port. 155; Foster v. McDonald, 3 Ala. 34, (s. c. 5 Ala. 376); Gindrat v. Mechanics’ Bank, 7 Ala. 324; Rives v. Parmley, 18 Ala. 256.
The statute (R. C. § 1850), which authorizes the transmission of notices by mail to the residence, or the post-office nearest the residence of the drawer, maker, or indorser, at the time he becomes a party to the bill, without reference to his place of residence at the time of dishonor, unless he designates the place to which notice shall be addressed, has not changed or modified the rule. The statute applies only to notices which under the law merchant may be transmitted by mail from one post-office to another. Before the statute, when notice of protest or of non-payment was transmissible by mail, the holder was bound to show the notice was sent to the post-office which at the time of dishonor was nearest the residence of the party to be charged, or was then the office at which he was in the habit of receiving his letters. Crawford v. Br. Bank Mobile, 7 Ala. 205; Foard v. Johnson, 2 Ala. 565; Br. Bank Decatur v. Pierce, 3 Ala. 321. Due diligence, and inability to ascertain the proper post-office at the time of dishonor, only, would excuse the failure to transmit notice there. The statute simply converts notice addressed to the residence, or the post-office nearest the residence of the party to be charged, at the time he became a party, into sufficient notice, without regard to his residence or post-office at the time of dishonor. In no other respect does it change or modify the rules of the law merchant, and is by its terms and in its objects confined to notices which under the law merchant are transmissible through the post-office.
The holder in giving notice is bound only to reasonable diligence. Presentment to, and demand of payment from
The second charge given by the court is clearly erroneous.
The other questions which are presented, it is not probable will arise on the same state of facts on another trial. It is sufficient to say in reference to them, that the notices of dishonor must inform the indorser of the fact of dishonor and that payment is expected of him. A notice which informs the indorser of the instrument, and of its dishonor,. and that he is looked to for payment, is sufficient.
The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded.