35 Barb. 272 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1861
We differ with the court below in the construction of the letter of October 27,1858. In our view, that letter required an acceptance of the proposition contained in it, by return mail. Consequently, if not so accepted, the plaintiff was at liberty to consider it as rejected, and to proceed the same as if it had never been made.
The letter was mailed October 27. By due course it was received by the defendants on October 29th. The defendants did not mail any answer to it till November 3d. Thus at least four full days (one of them being Sunday, and another, general election day throughout the state) intervened. ! The plaintiff, before the receipt of the draft, had commenced I suit. The plaintiff having waited sufficiently long to allow the terms of his proposition to be met,, and a reasonable time having elapsed for the receipt of an answer in due course of - mail, was not bound to wait any longer, but was at liberty ’’ to regard his proposition as rejected, and to proceed at once. ,
The learned judge who decided the case in the court below remarks, that one of the intervening days was election day. It is true that one of the intervening days was election day in this state, but it is not found as a fact; nor is there any evidence that it was election day in the state of Connecticut ; nor can the court take judicial cognizance of the fact, even if it existed. He also intimated that the defendants had a reasonable time to purchase the draft. But the terms of the letter of October 27th did not contemplate that a draft
2d. The most favorable construction for the defendants that can be given to the letter of October 27 is, that it is a promise to give time for the payment of an existing debt for such reasonable length of time as would allow a draft to be sent, for its payment.
The elementary works lay down the following principle: “ A promise by a creditor to accept less than the full amount of his demand, or to give time for the payment of an existing debt, is void unless there be some new consideration, such as an undertaking to give an additional or different security, or to pay the debt in a manner or at a time more beneficial
This case does not fall within the exception stated in Edmonston v. McLoud, (16 N. Y. Rep. 543.)
The judgment should be reversed, and a new trial ordered; costs to abide the event.
The plaintiff made a proposition to the defendants, from which he could recede if he pleased. Before the draft came to hand, the circumstances under which the proposition was made had changed. Expenses were incurred. The plaintiff had receded from his proposition. The defend
The defendants were liable for the costs of suit when their answer was put in.
The judgment should be reversed and a new trial ordered.
Clerke, P. J. concurred.
Judgment reversed.
Clerke, Leonard and Barnard, Justices.]