Virginia-Carolina Chemical Co. v. Cooley

Hubbs, P. J.: This action was brought to recover upon a promissory note. The answer admits the making and delivery of the note, but alleges that the delivery of the note was induced by the fraud of the agent of the payee, the plaintiff herein. Prior to the date of the note the plaintiff had sold and delivered to the defendant a quantity of fertilizer. There had been some controversy between the defendant and the agent of the plaintiff about the quality of the fertilizer and some talk about making an allowance to the defendant on account of its defective condition. The facts, stated most favorably to the defendant, are that at the time the note was executed and delivered the agent of the plaintiff stated to him that he wanted him to sign a note for the unpaid balance, that he had to have a note to make good to the company, and that he would make an allowance or reduction on the note. No allowance or reduction was made. The evidence to the effect that the agent would secure an allowance or reduction on the note could not properly have been received if the defense of fraud had not been pleaded. Such evidence tended [68] to establish á condition subsequent and to vary the writing, (Jamestown Business College Assn. v. Allen, 172 N. Y. 291; Smith v. Dotterweich, 200 id. 299.) The receipt of such statements did not tend to establish a defense unless the statements were fraudulent. They did not constitute fraudulent statements because they were promissory in character. They constituted an agreement that, sometime in the future, the plaintiff’s agent would secure a reduction in the amount of the note. That he failed to do, and his failure to do so constituted a breach of his agreement, but not fraud. (Adams v. Gillig, 199 N. Y. 314; McAvoy v. Maxwell, 158 N. Y. Supp. 844; Gotteberg v. Park Terrace Co., 168 App. Div. 800; affd., 222 N. Y. 600.) The judgment in favor of the defendant should be reversed, and the plaintiff’s motion for a directed verdict for $280.50, with interest from December 1, 1918, should be granted, with costs. All concur; Crouch, J., not sitting. Judgment and order reversed on the law and plaintiff’s motion for a directed verdict for $280.50, with interest from December 1, 1918, granted, with costs.