Bolles v. Unna

[398] OPINION OP THE COURT BY WIDEMANN, J. This is a suit brought by the plaintiff to recover interest accrued on the balance due on an account stated, the principal having been paid by the defendant. Section 1480 of the Civil Code provides that interest shall be allowed “ for money due on the settlement of accounts from the day on which the balance is ascertained.” As in our opinion this is a case under the above provision of the statute, the judgment of the lower Court is confirmed. Hartwell, J. I think the statute covers this case in allowing nine per cent, interest on all sums due on settlement of accounts where no higher rate is expressly agreed upon in writing. For it seems to me, that although the probate act postpones for some six months payment of claims against the estates, of deceased persons, the word “due” is used in the statute not as synonymous with “payable,” but looking only at the agreement of -the parties, and at the time when the debts thereby became due. The presumption that such was the meaning of the statute is strong in cases of actual or implied contract to pay interest from a given time. It is an implied condition in all simple contracts, that the personal representative of either party is liable to the extent of assets for a breach of the contract, whether it occur during the lifetime of the party or not. No one would care to loan money at interest with risk of losing six months’ interest at the death of the borrower. There may be eases, where interest re|ts on no actual or implied contract, but merely on the ground of damages, in which delay in payment, consequent upon the act of God and operation of law, would not involve the running of interest. But this statute I have no doubt goes on the theory of an implied contract in the cases it enumerates, and not on the theory of earlier days, that it was a sin to contract for a loan of money at interest. I see no cause, however, for resorting to the statute in the [399] case of an actual contract whether oral or written, certainly for no other purpose than to restrict the plaintiff to nine per cent. We have no statute of usury. There is no illegality in loaning money at any rate of interest by oral or by written contract, nor does the statute declare that no action lies to recover over nine per cent., unless on a written agreement. There is no ingredient that is illegal, void, or invalid in this oral agreement. The promissor, after having used the money, ought not to be allowed to plead to an action to recover what he agreed to pay therefor, that he agreed to pay more than is sued for, and that, as his agreement is not in writing, he will therefore pay nothing. It is a valid, legal promise* based on a valid, legal consideration. But the case does not require decision on the allowance of the twelve per cent, which was thus agreed for, but only on the allowance of the nine per cent, already awarded. Assuming then, that the oral contract was not enforceable to its full extent, its existence is no reason for dismissing an action of indebitatus assumpsit on the implied promise of paying the statutory rate for the money lent. On a count for money lent, in an action on the implied promise, evidence of the express oral contract is no defence. I understand the present doctrine of English law to be, that agreements partly within and partly without the statute of frauds may be good for the part not within the statute, provided that part be so severable from the other, that it fairly might be presumed to be the consideration intended for the implied promise on which the action is brought. This view applies strongly in cases where the agreement is executed on one side, and where that which is good in the promise may be severed from that which is void in such manner as not to do violence to the theory of an implied agreement. In such cases maxims are cited to the effect that, “ Where more is done than ought to be done, that portion for which there was authority shall stand, and the act be void quoad the excess only.” Quando res non [400] valet ut ago, valeat quantum, valere potest. Utile per inutile non vitiatur. S. B. Dole for plaintiff. A. F. Judd for defendant. The foregoiug views are stated because they suggest interestiug questions that the case involves.