Cecil v. Mix

Stuart, J. Assumpsit on a promissory note averring, as to Mix, that he became one of the makers by signing his name on the back. The averment is, that on the day [479] and year on which the note was made, at, &c., the defendant Mix signed his name in blank on the back, and that so signed the note was delivered to the payee, John P. Baker. Baker subsequently assigned to Cecil. Trial by the Court. Finding and judgment for the defendants. The evidence is all properly embodied in the record. The evidence of John P. Baker, the payee, introduced as a witness for and released by Cecil, so far as it bears on this point, is brief, viz., “ that he was the payee of the note; that Thompson and Rowan owed witness a debt for that amount for lumber; that the witness, living in another county, sent to one Halliday, of Lafayette, to secure the debt for him; that Halliday returned the note to witness, with the names of Thompson and Rowan and said James Mix, the same as they now appear thereon. The note and indorsements read thus, viz.: “ $259. Lafayette, February 7,1849. Four months from date, we promise to pay John P. Baker two hundred and fifty-nine dollars, for value received, without benefit of valuation or appraisement laws; negotiable and payable at Lafayette branch, state bank of Indiana. [Signed] Thompson and Rowan.” “ Indorsed, James Mix, John P. Baker.” This was all the evidence bearing on that question. The only question presented is as to the liability of Mix. Was it primary or secondary? Was he one of the makers of the note or only an indorser? The authorities on this question were fully examined by judge Dewey, in Wells v. Jackson, 6 Blackf. 40. According to the Massachusetts authorities, the liability of Mix would be that of surety on the original contract, as much as though his name had been on the face of the note; but the presumption is open to explanation as to the real intent of the indorsement.! In New-York such indorsement is held to be prima facie evidence of secondary liability only, unless it be shown by other evidence than the mere indorsement, that his object was to give the maker of the note credit with the payee. In regard to negotiable paper, this Court, in the case cited, inclined to the latter principle. “The deduction,” says the Court, “which we draw from these authorities is, [480] that the blank indorsement of unnegotiable paper, made at the date of the contract, and unexplained by extrinsic testimony, confers upon the payee the authority to hold the indorser liable on the original contract as a surety; and that a similar unexplained indorsement of negotiable paper, renders the indorser liable only as indorser, with the ordinary rights and privileges incident to that character; but that, in either case, the liability intended to be assumed may be explained, and the prima facie responsibility be changed to one of another kind.” Adhering to the principles thus established, it but remains to inquire how they affect the liability of Mix. There are two circumstances which seem to define the position of Mix beyond controversy. It is shown in evidence that when the note was delivered to the payee, and before the latter had assigned it to Cecil, Mix's name was indorsed thereon. There is no date to the indorsement, and the presumption therefore is, in analogy to assignments, that it was done at the date of the note. There is nothing in the case to repel this presumption. This blank indorsement of a note negotiable under our statute, R. S. 1843, p. 576, s. 6, (and much more under the authority of Wells v. Jackson, if the instrument were not negotiable,) made at the date of the note and before its delivery, sufficiently indicates, we think, the intention of Mix to give the other makers credit with Baker, the payee. The other circumstance is closely connected with the time and manner of signing. It is the position of his name. The note and indorsements are set out in the record; as to the latter thus indorsed, “James Mix, John P. Baker." In the case of Wells v. Jackson, the principles of which we adopt in the determination of this case, Jackson's name stood the last of three indorsers. And the Court lay stress upon this fact, as a ground of presumption that he had “placed his name on the bond in the character of an ordinary indorser—looking to the responsibility of those whose names preceded his, including the payee and maker.” Here Mix's name stands first on the back of the note. Taking these two circumstances together, the time [481] the indorsement was made and the position of the indorsement itself, leaves, we think, no doubt of the intention of Mix, the indorser, and of Baker, the payee, as to the liability assumed by Mix. Baker had every reason to regard him as a party to the original contract. Cecil, the assignee, has properly so regarded him in this action. G. S. Orth and E. H. Brackett, for the plaintiff. R. C. Gregory and R. Jones, for the defendants. We are clearly of opinion that the evidence, in the light of the authorities cited, shows the liability of Mix to be of this primary character, and that therefore the judgment should be reversed. Per Curiam. The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.