14 F. Cas. 1167 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Pennsylvania | 1808
The objection is premature at present. We do not know what the agreement was, or whether it was executed or not. The evidence was then given.
Dallas, for defendant, contended that the plea of duress was, in this case, a complete defence against the plaintiff’s recovery on these notes. The defendant having been discharged under the insolvent laws of this state, could not be legally arrested for the same debts in Delaware.
BY THE COURT. The arrest in Delaware being legal; by the laws of that state, a court of this state could not consider it unlawful, although it would have been unlawful, had it been made in this state. The plea of duress, therefore, cannot be supported.
Secondly, Mr. Dallas contended, that the suit was discontinued in consequence of the agreement at Duplessis’s office; but, at any rate, that agreement having been executed by the defendant, as far as it was in his power, is a satisfaction of the notes given in Delaware, and may be given in evidence, under the plea of payment, with leave; for any de-fence may be taken under this plea, which shows that the plaintiff, ex equo et bono, ought not to recover. The defendant paid the money, which, by the agreement, he stipulated to pay; and the refusal of the plaintiff to accept it, unless the defendant would deliver him notes, with an endorser, to be named by the plaintiff, (which he was not bound to do,) dispensed with the necessity of a regular tender of notes.
Levy and Philips, for plaintiff, contended, that the defendant having pleaded to the action, it was too late to insist upon the discontinuance of the suit; that the defendant had not made such an offer to perform his part of the agreement, as he was bound to make; and that if he had done so, still a promise of a lesser sum, though the security be bettered, and though it be accepted, is not a satisfaction. Were this a suit in equity, the court would not assist the defendant, without his offering to pay the whole six hundred dollars.
Dallas, in reply, stated a new point, viz., that the plaintiff could not recover, without first delivering up the defendant’s endorsements, which formed the consideration of the notes in suit, and which may hereafter come against him.
(charging jury). The defence is, first to the action, and secondly to the claim, on which the action is founded. It is said that this suit was once discontinued, and could not afterwards be replaced on the docket, without the assent of the parties; if not so, still that the debt created by-those notes, was discharged by the subsequent agreement, which took place at Duplessis’s office. The first defence cannot be noticed under either of the pleas in the cause, being inconsistent with them. This amounts to saying that there is no cause in court, and the pleas admit there is, but controvert the right of the plaintiff to recover in it. The defendant ought to have taken advantage of the discontinuance at an earlier period, and in a different way. By appearing and making defence, he waives the objection. The second ground of defence is consistent with the plea of payment, if the defence itself be good. This is the way in which we understand the contract made at Duplessis’s office,
The last point is susceptible of more argument. in favour of the defendant. The paper which had produced the liability of the defendant, and in discharge of which the notes in question were given, is negotiable; and if it has been transferred by the plaintiff, the defendant may hereafter be called upon to pay it, by a bona fide assignee, without notice; against which claim, the payment of these notes would not protect Mm. But I think the agreement of the parties, made at the time when these notes were given, precludes the defendant from making this objection; at any rate, until he is ready to pay the money. Though there is no reason, in point of law, why judgment should not be given for the plaintiff, still the court would have it in its power to protect the defendant against the supposed danger of being twice made liable; by staying execution until the note is produced, or by enjoining the judgment. On this latter point, my brother justice doubts, whether the objection does not go to the right of the plaintiff to recover in this action, until the note is produced. The plaintiff’s counsel undertook to produce the note before the money should be paid; and to give any security to indemnify the defendant against all other claims.
Verdict for plaintiff.