Holleville v. Patrick

S. H. Hempstead, Special Judge, delivered the opinion of the Court. This was an action of assumpsit, brought by Patrick against Holleville, and in which there was a trial by jury on the general issue, and a verdict and judgment for Patrick, to review which this writ of error has been sued out by Holleville. The declaration contains two counts, similar to each other, but on two different causes of action; and it may be remarked, that a declaration could hardly be more inartificially drawn, and if we felt disposed to countenance technical objections, there would be no difficulty in finding them in it. The case stands in this court on the declaration alone; because the bonds and assignments therein described have not been made a part of the record by oyer, bill of exceptions or otherwise, and cannot be noticed for any purpose whatever, although copied into the transcript. The declaration avers the writings obligatory to have been made by William Strong and payable to Holleville on the 1st January, 1841; that they were before payment, assigned by him to Patrick, “to wit, on the 10th day of July, 1841:” that when they became due, they were presented fpr payment, and payment required “according to the tenor and effect thereof;” but that neither Strong nor Holleville paid the same; and it is then averred that “of all which said premises the said Holleville afterwards, to wit: on the 10th day of July, 1841, had notice.” As a general rule, it is not to be denied, that a party is always bound by his own pleadings, and can make no proof in contravention of them. But it is equally as well established, as an exception, that it is not essential to state the real or precise time unless it constitutes a material part of the contract; nor in criminal proceedings, except where time forms an ingredient of the offence. And although a certain day is stated, yet neither in civil nor criminal cases, need the day be proved as laid, but an entirely different day may be proved, and it will be well enough. 1 Chitty's Pl. 288, 289. 1 Chitty's Cr. L. 224. In assumpsit on a contract, whether express or implied, the plaintiff is at liberty to prove that it was made at any other time than that alleged. 2 Stra. 806. So, in an action against the acceptor of a bill payable after sight, an allegation that it was accepted on the day of the date will be proved, though it appear it was accepted on a subsequent day. 1 Chitty's Pl. 288. It was neither necessary nor usual to aver in the declaration the precise time when the assignments were made, or when payment was required, or notice of non-payment given. These were all matters of evidence, which, for the sake of preserving brevity and perspicuity in pleading, are never to be stated. 1 Chitty's Pl. 258. Those dates were stated under a videlicet, and we are of opinion, might have been rejected as surplusage, and which will not vitiate after verdict. Chapman vs. Smith 13 John. 80. Hyslop vs. Jones, 3 McLean, 96. The case of Jackson vs. Henderson, 3 Leigh, 210, 217, is an express authority to the point, that if the declaration avers that a bill was presented, and payment demanded when the same became due and payable, and then under a scilicet, states a precise day on which it was done, that day is immaterial, need not be proved, and may be rejected as surplusage. To the same effect is the case of Bynner vs. Russell, 1 Bingham 23. S. C. 7 Moore 266, on the authority of which the case in Virginia was decided. It cannot admit of serious doubt, that it was competent for either party on the trial, to have proved that the assignments had been made, or that payment had been demanded, or notice of non-payment given at different periods from those averred in the declaration. Neitherparty was bound by those piecise dates, and might, as we have seen, have treated them as surplusage, and for aught we can know, such proof might have been actually-made as above indicated. This case was tried by a jury on the general issue. No exceptions were taken during the trial, nor was any motion made for a new trial, or in arrest of judgment. It stands on error, and consequently if the declaration discloses a cause of action the judgment must be affirmed. The doctrine on this subject is that when a declaration or other pleading sets forth a good title or ground of action in a defective manner, the imperfection will be cured by verdict, but a want of title is not aided. 1 Saund. 227, 2 Sound. 319, a, b. c. 10 Bac. Abr. Verdict (X) 335. And this court in Sevier vs. Holliday, 2 Ark. 571, approved and laid down the same principle, namely, that “where there is any defect, imperfection or omission in any pleading, whether in substance or in form, which would have been a fatal objection on demurrer, yet if the issue joined be such as necessarily requires on the trial, proof of the faots so defectively or imperfectly stated, or omitted, and without which it is not to be presumed that either the judge would direct the jury to give, or the jury would have given the verdict, such defect, imperfection or omission is cured by the verdict at common law.” Now no one can read the declaration without perceiving that it discloses a right or cause of action, although partially obscured by the want of technical skill and precision in the pleader. The imperfections in it are precisely of that character which a verdict was intended, under the rule above laid down, to cure. And it is the more essential that it should be so, because, independent of the general presumption of correctness which attaches to judgments of inferior courts until the contrary is made to appear, we may well suppose that on the trial, such facts were proved as established the liability of the plaintiff in error, holding it clear that this might have been done under the declaration, and on the issue that was formed. The case of Ruston vs. Aspinall, Dougl. 653, relied on by th© counsel for the plaintiff in error, is not applicable, because, the declaration failed to allege a demand and refusal by the acceptor; but in this declaration, demand, refusal and notice are alleged. Considering that the declaration in this case discloses a cause of action, and that the imperfections in it'are cured by the verdict, and we affirm the judgment. Watkins, C. J. not sitting.