Kellogg v. Richards

14 Wend. 116 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1835

By the Court,

Nelson, J.

This case does not show a composition of the defendants with all their creditors, and therefore the objection does not properly arise that one creditor cannot secretly stipulate for an amount beyond the composition agreed upon with all the others, and that the agreement for that cause is void as a fraud upon the other creditors. 10 Wend. 479, and cases there cited. For aught that appears, the defendants settled with each creditor, and among them with the plaintiffs, on the best or such terms as they could obtain.

That a technical receipt can be explained by parol evidence, and is in this respect an exception to the general rule of evidence applicable to written instruments, has been repeatedly ruled and acted upon in this court. 1 Johns. Cas. 145. 2 Johns. R. 379. 3 id. 319. 5 id. 68. 8 id. 390. 9 id. 311. 2 T. R. 366. 5 id. 369. 5 Barn. & Ald. 606, Holroyd and Best, justices. 2 Stark. Ev. 571—702. 11 Mass. R. 32. The principle is strongly illustrated in the cases where the consideration money in a deed of land, though acknowledged to be received in full, may be recovered by the grantor; he being permitted to contradict the deed, and prove the money was not received. 14 Johns. R. 210. 20 id. 338. See also 12 Johns. R. 529, per Thompson, J. in error.

It appears to me that the only question arising in the case upon the facts disclosed is, whether the agreement to accept a sum less than the face of the note in satisfaction, rested in parol, or is to be considered as enbraced in the instrument endorsed on the back of the note. The agreement to compound for a less sum, if in writing, falls within the general rule, and cannot be contradicted or explained by parol evidence, nor can a different agreement be shown. The endorsement on the note is undoubtedly something more than a receipt. By it the plaintiffs acknowledge that on a compromise with the defendants, they received the Addington security “for the full payment of their note of $1627,44.” Had it been intended as nothing more than a technical receipt for so much paid or secured to be paid, the language would have been different. “ As a compromise for the full payment of this note” is language altogether inconsistent with such an intent, and is too plain and explicit to be misunderstood. The relaxation of the rule of evidence above referred' to should not be extended beyond the spirit of the terms in which it is expressed, and must he confined to the case of a receipt in the strict sense of that term. If the plaintiffs had agreed as follows—On receiving of Richards & Sherman a note of $431,40, made by S. H. Addington, payable four months after date, endorsed by the said Richards & Sherman, we hereby agree to accept the same in full payment of the within note—there can be no doubt the agreement would have been binding, and that parol evidence would have been inadmissible to vary it, and I perceive no difference between such a case and the present. Here the consideration is executed ; the note was delivered at the time the agreement was made. The agreement on the back of the note would have constituted a good plea of accord and satisfaction in bar of an action on the note. This is settled by the case of Boyd & Suydam v. Hitchcock, 20 Johns. R. 76. There the plaintiff claimed $5000 in his declaration. One of the pleas adjudged to contain a good defence, was, that the defendant delivered to the plaintiffs three promissory notes, payable to D. Childs for $916,67, and by him endorsed, in full satisfaction and discharge of the promises, and that they were so received by the plaintiffs. I am aware the learned judge who delivered the opinion of this court in that case, laid some stress upon an inference of his own, that Childs signed as surety to the defendant, expressly to pay the plaintiffs’ debt of greater amount; but he also takes the broad ground, that independently of that view, “ if a debtor offers additional security on condition that his creditors shall give up a portion of the debt, and the creditor accepts such security for a less sum as a satisfaction of the whole debt, it is a valid discharge on the ground of accord and satisfaction.” See also Booth v. Smith, 3 Wendell, 66, and also 1 id. 172.

It is true there does not seem to be much, if any ground for distinction, between such a case and one where a less sum of money is paid and agreed to be accepted in full, which would not be a good plea. But the distinction is as sound as that which exists between the cases of receiving a less sum of money and an article of property just half the value, which would constitute a perfect defence. The rule that the payment of a less sum of money, though agreed by the plaintiff to be received in full satisfaction of a debt exceeding that amount, shall not be so considered in contemplation of law, is technical, and not very well supported by reason. Courts therefore have departed from it upon slight distinctions.

The facts then embraced in the endorsement ,on the note being of themselves sufficient to constitute a good bar to a suit on the note, and Addington’s note having been accepted as " a compromise for the full payment of the note,” I do not see how we can disregard the agreement thus made and substitute in its place a parol understanding of different import, made at the same time. The authority of Warded to compound for the demand is not- disputed, and a valid and perfect arrangement is acknowledged by him in writing. It is a complete agreement, and the parties should be held to it.

Judgment affirmed.