91 N.Y.S. 903 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1904
This is an action brought to recover on a check dated September 5, 1901, made by Ezra G. Benedict, defendant’s testator, which is as follows:
“ No. 2144 Ezra G. Benedict
Albany, N. Y., September 5, 1901.
“ Pay to the order of Harris Moak “ Ten* Thousand Dollars Dollars
“ To The Chase National Bank “ of New Yoek “ $10,000.00/100
E. G. Benedict.”
The defendant claims that there had been no delivery of the check and no consideration therefor and that in any event the check was fraudulent and void.
It appears from the evidence that the plaintiff had been in the employment of the defendant’s testator, Ezra Gf. Benedict, for some time prior to September 5, 1901, as a nurse and physician, and on that day, September 5, 1901, a contract was entered into between plaintiff and Ezra Gf. Benedict by which Moak, the plaintiff, agreed to faithfully serve the said Benedict as companion, physician, nurse and masseur for a period of one year for the sum of $2,100.
It is shown by the plaintiff’s brother that this check was in the possession of the plaintiff on or about the 14th day of September, 1901, a little over a week after the time it bears date, and it was also shown by the same witness to have been in the plaintiff’s possession in December, 1901, and it is now in the possession of the plaintiff and apparently has been ever since September 14, 1901, at least.
By section 35 of the Negotiable Instruments Law it is provided: “ Where the instrument is no longer in the possession of a party whose signature appears thereon, a valid and intentional delivery by him is presumed until the contrary is proved.” There is no direct contradiction of this testimony as to possession by the plaintiff.
It was shown by the defendant that this check was filled in, in the handwriting of the plaintiff, excepting the signature. The signature is practically admitted to be genuine. It is also shown by the defendant that Benedict, the deceased, was at times accustomed to have about him checks signed in blank, that is, printed checks, all the blanks of which were unfilled, except his signature, and from that it is argued that the plaintiff may have surreptitiously obtained a blank check and have filled in the amount, name, date, etc. The defendant proved that after the date of this check Moak
The plaintiff does not claim this note as a gift but as a valid business transaction. He was produced upon the trial and asked as to the circumstances attending its execution, delivery and consideration, but was not permitted to testify thereto, section 829 of the Code being successfully urged as a barrier to his so testifying.
I am of the opinion that, under the decisions, the defendant has not overcome the force of the presumption under section 35 of the statute as to negotiable instruments and the possession of the check.
Ordinarily the possession and production of a note will raise a presumption of delivery. Cowee v. Cornell, 75 N. Y. 96 ; Carnwright v. Gray, 127 id. 92.
As to the consideration, practically the same evidence bears thereon as to delivery. Section 50’ of the Negotiable Instruments Law is as follows: “ Every negotiable instrument is deemed prima facie to have been issued for a valuable consideration ; and every person whose signature appears thereon to have become a party thereto for value.”
It is also urged on the question of consideration by the defendant that the plaintiff was a young physician who was receiving $2,700 a year for his services; that a confidential relation existed between the parties and that the transactions between them should be carefully scrutinized upon the subject of consideration, that they were not shown to have any other-business relations except the contract relation, and it was extremely unlikely that any business relations could have been had between them that would induce the giving of a $10,000-check by Benedict, the deceased, to the plaintiff.
As we have seen, the plaintiff was, by the interposition of the statute, prevented from giving any evidence upon the-question of consideration.
Although the case is not without difficulties, I think that sufficient proof was not presented by the defendant as to the relation of the parties and upon the question of consideration to overcome the presumption of the statutes within the decisions. Carnwright v. Gray, supra; Raubitschek v. Blank, 80 N. Y. 480.
I am of the opinion that, urider the evidence submitted, the court will not be justified in holding in effect, that this plaintiff has forged this check, for that is what the claim of the defendant amounts to. The check was shown in plaintiff’s possession shortly after its date, and it has so continued there, and I think that under the statute and decisions thereunder he is entitled to recover in this case.
Judgment may be entered accordingly.
Judgment accordingly.