5 Blackf. 468 | Ind. | 1841
Assumpsit by Barbour against Robinson. The declaration contains three counts. The first count states that the defendant on, &c., by his certain instrument in writing assigned to the plaintiff the sum of 136 dollars, being part of a certain claim then in suit in the Jennings county Circuit Court against A. W. Dunn, and by said writing directed his attorneys to pay said amount to the plaintiff when it should be collected; and that defendant did further, by said instrument of writing, guaranty that the said sum of money should be collected within one year from the date thereof. The second count avers that the defendant, by his
The first count is defective in not showing a consideration for the defendant’s promise. A valid consideration for the promise upon which a party is charged, is essential to a contract not under seal, and must exist although the contract be reduced to writing, otherwise the promise is void. Chitt. on Cont. 6; and in declaring upon such a contract, it is necessary to disclose a sufficient consideration, or the promise will appear to be nudum pactum, and the declaration will consequently be insufficient. 1 Chitt. PI. 321. There are exceptions to this rule of pleading in the case of bills of exchange and promissory notes, and some other legal liabilities, but the exception does not apply to such a promise as is laid in the count under examination. Ib. As the count shows no consideration for the promise either of benefit to the defendant, or trouble or prejudice to the plaintiff, the demurrer to it should have been sustained. 3 Johns. R. 104. — 4 id. 236, 280. — 1 Saund. 211, note (2). — 4 Blackf. 173.
The second and third counts are defective for the same reason, and the only question to be decided with regard to those counts is, whether the defect is fatal after verdict? We are of opinion that the defect is not cured by the verdict. A promise without a consideration is void, and no action will lie upon it. In Rann et al. v. Hughes, 7 T. R. 346, note (a), the declaration alleged that the defendant was liable as execu
The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.