19 Johns. 144 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1821
delivered the opinion of the Court; The note in question was payable “ in bank notes current in the city of Mezo-York.,‘> On the argument, it was contended; that this was not a negotiable promissory note, within the statute. In Keith v. Jones, (9 Johns. Rep. 120.) it was held, that a note payable in York state bills or specie, was the same thing as being made payable in lawful current money of the state; for the bills mentioned, mean bank paper, which is here, in conformity with common usage, regarded as cash. Lord Mansfield, in Miller v. Reid, (1 Burr. 457.) observed, “ that these notes are not like bills of exchange, mere securities, or documents for debts, nor are so esteemed ; but are treated as money, in the ordinary course and transactions of business, by the general consent of mankind ; and on payment of them, when a receipt is required, the receipts are always given as for money, not as for securities or notes.”
In Handy v. Dobbin, (12 Johns. Rep. 220.) it was decided that bank bills could be levied on by execution, and that they are treated, civiliter, as money. In the case cited, it did not appear what description of bills had been attached, but there can be no doubt that all current bank paper was intended by the Court. The same general expressions are used in Holmes v. Nuncaster; (12 Johns. Rep. 396.) and in Mann v. The Executors of Mann, (1 Johns. Ch. Rep. 231.) the present chancellor says, “ that the word money may be extended to bank notes, when they are known and approved of, and used in the market as cash.”
But it is urged by the defendant’s counsel, that bills of Mezo-Jersey might be tendered to satisfy this note, and that they cannot be considered as money, unless their circulation be co-extensive with the state.
The principle laid down in Jones v. Fales, (4 Mass. Rep. 245.) is applicable to this case : " The Court must take notice, in common with" the People, that bank notes derive their value, not only from the certainty, but the facility of payment: consequently, that a man in trade in Boston, holding a bill issued by a bank, at a distance from Boston, can less easily obtain payment, than he could, if the issuing bank was near to him : and that a different facility of pro
Judgment for the plaintiff.