36 N.H. 218 | N.H. | 1858
The object of the 43d rule of practice, which requires the defendant, who proposes to contest the signature or indorsement of an instrument declared on, to.make denial of it upon the record at the first term, is to relieve the plaintiff from the necessity of furnishing himself, in those cases where it is not the matter in controversy, with evidence to the jury, upon a question of fact involved in every case founded upon such instrument, but whieh, in a very large proportion of those cases, is not the real matter in dispute. The rule, therefore, declares that the signature and indorsement shall be considered as admitted, unless so denied at the first term. Such being the object of the rule, it is obvious that any question relating to the sufficiency of the signature or indorsement, not depending upon matter of fact, to be passed upon by the jury, but to be determined by the court upon an examination of the instrument itself, does not come within the operation of the rule. Of this character are questions relating to the form and manner of the signature or indorsement, as in Despatch Line of Packets v. Bellamy Company, 12 N. H. 205, where the question was whether the signature of a note, commencing “ I promise to pay,” and signed, “A. B., Agent of Bellamy Company,” was or not in that form the signature of that company.
The first question presented by this case is of that character, namely, was the indorsement in such form that it may be regarded as the indorsement of the Protection Insurance Company — the payees ? and the question is to be decided, not by reference to the rule of court, but, irrespective of it, by an inspection of the note itself. The indorsement is in the form, “ W. Earle, A. Sec’ty” Considered by itself, and disconnected from the note, it could only be understood that in so writing the party was acting, not for himself personally, but in an official capacity, and there would be nothing in it to indicate for whom he was acting. But the indorsement is to be viewed in connection with what appears upon the face of the note on which it is found. Thus considered, it would be understood as an order to pay the note by one acting, in making the order, for the party who on its face
Under this view the nonsuit was improperly ordered. The evidence introduced by the plaintiff, to show the authority of Earl, was not required to maintain his case. The question raised by the case, whether that evidence is sufficient to be submitted to a jury to prove the authority, would seem to be immaterial. The evidence must have been admitted upon the view that the rule has no application to the case of a denial of the signature or indorsement, on the ground of a want of authorityto make it.
But if this were the true construction of the rule, the court, nevertheless, erred in ordering the nonsuit upon that evidence. The vote or resolution of a corporation, appointing an agent, need not be entered on their minutes or records, unless.the charter or by-laws render it essential, and this is not to be presumed. An. & Am. on Corp. 269. The vote of appointment may, therefore, be implied, as in the case of the appointment of an agent by a
In Bank v. Dandridge, Story, J., says, the same presumptions are applicable to corporations as natural persons. Persons acting publicly, as officers of the corporation, are to be presumed rightfully in office. If one acts notoriously as cashier of a bank, and is recognized by the corporation or its directors as an existing officer, a regular appointment will be presumed. In short, the acts of artificial persons afford the same presumptions as the acts of natural persons.
The same principles are recognized in Despatch Line of Packets v. Bellamy Company, and in Glidden v. Unity, 33 N. H. 571. From the deposition introduced by the plaintiff it appeared that Earl was recognized by the officers of the company as having authority to negotiate their personal securities and manage their financial affairs. From the facts stated in the deposition, the inference .is just and reasonable, that he had authority to negotiate the note in suit in behalf of the company. The nonsuit being improperly ordered, upon either of the grounds presented by the case, must be set aside, and the cause stand for trial in the court of Common Pleas.