UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

THIS was an action brought against Parker and Wharton, the indorsers of a promissory note, instituted at the same time, that an action was brought against G eorge Eddie, the drawer of the note. There had been a trial, and verdict for the plaintiff, in December term 1801, subject to the opinion of the Court upon a case stated, involving two questions: 1st. Whether a plea puis darein continuance, had not been entered too late by the defendants? And 2d. Whether the new matter pleaded, was sufficient to bar the plaintiff's recovery? After some argument on the case, at December term 1802, the parties made the following arrangement:

'That the judgment shall remain as a security, and an issue be formed and tried under this agreement. That the defendants be permitted to enter, at this time, a plea puis darein continuance, with like effect, as if it had been entered at the day given for their next appearance, after the new matter occurred. That the plaintiff be allowed to give evidence of all facts and circumstances to show, that the new matter pleaded ought not to operate as a discharge of the defendants. That the defendants be allowed to give evidence of all facts and circumstances to repel such evidence, on the part of the plaintiff, to show that such new matter ought to operate in their discharge; and to establish that the plaintiff has received actual value, or security, for the debt, from the drawer of the note. And that it be admitted, on the trial, that notice, in due form of law, was given to the defendants, by the plaintiff, of the non-payment of the note, on which the suit is founded.'

Under this agreement, the defendants relinquished all former pleas, and entered puis darien continuance, the plea of payment, with leave to give the special matter in evidence.

On the trial of the cause, it appeared, that a testatum ca. sa. had issued into Northampton county, returnable to December term 1797, in the case of M'Fadden v. Eddie, upon which the defendant was arrested; that, while he was in custody, he gave a bond and warrant of attorney to confess judgment to the plaintiff,

Page 4 U.S. 275, 276

intending that the judgment should operate upon lands which he claimed in Northampton county, but which eventually proved to be no security, though taken in execution and offered for sale, on a venditioni exponas; and that, on the 29th of November 1797, the plaintiff wrote to the sheriff in the following terms: 'Sir, I request and desire that you discharge the defendant, in the above writ mentioned; he having satisfied me of the debt, interest, and costs;' and that the sheriff thereupon returned the writ, 'C. C. Afterwards discharged from execution, by order of the plaintiff.'

The defence was placed on two grounds: 1st. That the holder's acceptance of a security from the drawer, in satisfaction, was a release of all the parties to the note; however inadequate the security accepted; and however defective the title to the property might afterwards appear. 1 Stra. 691. Noy, 140. 3 Mod. 86. 2 Show. 481. Doug. 236, 7. 250. 2 Vez. 540. 4 Vez. 824. 832, 3. Ambl. 79. 1 Dall. Rep. 254. 7 T. Rep. 421. 2d. That the release of one of two joint debtors, is the release of both; and the discharge of a defendant from a ca. sa. is tantamount to a payment or extinguishment of the debt. 4 Burr. 2482. 3 Wils. 14. 1 T. Rep. 557. 6 T. Rep. 525. 2 Bl. Rep. 1237.1 1 Bous. & Pull. 665. 2 Bous. & Pull. 61.

For the plaintiff it was premised, that there was no negligence imputable to him; that notice of the non-payment was regularly given before any indulgence was shown to the drawer of the note; and that every arrangement with the drawer was, in fact, for the benefit of the indorsor. It was then contended, 1st. That considering the relative situation of the parties, before the discharge from the ca. sa. the holder's acceptance of a security from the drawer, was not a bar to his remedy against the indorser. And 2dly. That whatever might be the operation of the discharge from the ca. sa. as to the drawer, it did not extinguish the debt as to the indorser.

1st. The drawer and indorser of a promissory note, are not joint debtors; but are indebted to the holder on separate and distinct contracts; the former being bound to pay at all events; the latter only in case of the drawer's default, and of the holder's giving due notice of it, and pursuing a recovery against the drawer with reasonable diligence. Kyd, 22. 72, 3. 74, 75. 110. 76. Upon notice of the drawer's default, the indorsor becomes an absolute debtor, not a surety; and it is a duty immediately to pay. If he delays payment, it is a wrong; and he shall not afterwards take advantage of it. The holder is not bound to [4 U.S. 275, 277]

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