7 Wend. 43 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1831
In administering justice, courts must examine the contracts of parties and ascertain what was their intention, and then enforce that intention, if lawful. There is no ambiguity about the commencement ot contract; Gumaer was to furnish the rails and deliver them, and Thomas was to pay for them. Then follows the conclusion, that for the performance of these covenants ‘ we bind ourselvesnot the parties to the above contract, but we, the subscribers. Hence it follows that Rowland Allen bound himself as surety, for the faithful performance of the covenants and agreements above mentioned. The signers bound themselves to pach other, but the contract had but two sides to it; it was not tripartite ; besides, Allen was surety. The intention is to be ascertained from the contents of the instrument, and from all circumstances under which it appears. Gumaer first signed the contract; there is no doubt as to what he agreed to do. Allen next signs as surety. Surety for whom, and for what? Necessarily for some one who had become obligated to do something; as yet Thomas was not bound by the contract. Allen could not be surety for him, for he was not obligated to do any thing. Gumaer and Allen were then bound to Thomas; Allen’s obligation, therefore, could be nothing else than that Gumaer should perform his part of the agreement, or that he was jointly bound with Gumaer to perform Gumaer’s stipulations. The latter seems to be the natural meaning to be drawn from his signature, and the conclusion of the agreement. It seems to me, therefore, there can be but one way in which this contract can be construed, so as to give effect to every part of it. Cases of indentures of apprenticeship were referred to, to shew when all the parties signing an instrument are bound to perform it. When the parent or guardian subscribes his name merely to give his assent, there is no obligation upon him if the apprentice fails to perform his agreement; but if the indentures conclude, that “ for the true performance of the covenants and agreements, the parties bind themselves to each other,” and the parent or guardian signs, he is bound for his child or ward. This has been- so decided in this court, Mead v. Billings, 10 Johns. R. 99; Bull v. Follett, 5 Cowen, 170; but where there is no such
I am therefore of opinion that the demurrer is not well taken, and that the plaintiff is entitled to judgment; leave, however, is given to the defendant to withdraw his demurrer and plead on payment of costs.
