Dulany v. Hodgkin, 9 U.S. 333 (1809)

U.S. Supreme Court

Dulany v. Hodgkin, 9 U.S. 5 Cranch 333 333 (1809) Dulany v. Hodgkin

9 U.S. (5 Cranch) 333

ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SITTING AT ALEXANDRIA

Syllabus

The endorser of a promissory note who endorses to give credit to the note and who is countersecured by property pledged, is not liable upon the note, nor in an action for money had and received, unless the plaintiff show that the maker is insolvent or that he has brought suit which has proved fruitless. It is not sufficient to show that the maker of the note is out of the reach of the process of the court.

Error to the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia sitting at Alexandria in an action of assumpsit by the endorsee of a promissory note against his immediate endorser. The note was made by Wellborn on 1 January, 1806, for $200, payable to Hodgkin or order 120 days after date, negotiable at the Bank of Alexandria. On the

Page 9 U. S. 334

trial, the plaintiff did not produce any evidence of a suit against the maker, nor evidence of his insolvency, but proved that the maker never was an inhabitant of the District of Columbia, but resided in Albemarle County, in the State of Virginia, whereupon the court, upon the prayer of the defendant, instructed the jury that it was still necessary for the plaintiff to prove to the satisfaction of the jury that he had brought suit upon the note against the maker, or that a suit against him would have been fruitless, before he could resort to the endorser. To which instruction the plaintiff excepted.

The plaintiff also excepted to the refusal of the court to instruct the jury that if it should be satisfied by the evidence that at the time the note was given, it was endorsed by the defendant with a view of giving credit to the maker with the plaintiff, and that it was so understood, and if it should be further satisfied by the evidence that the maker left in the hands of the defendant funds to pay the note or otherwise countersecured him for becoming endorser of the note, the plaintiff is entitled to recover in this action, although the maker should not be proved to have been insolvent before the note became due.

The declaration contained two counts -- one upon the note, the other for money had and received.

The case was submitted, without argument, to the Court, which, after inspecting the record, on the next day,

Affirmed the judgment with costs.