Keane v. Goldsmith

Merrick, C. J. This suit is brought by the plaintiff as the transferee of Isaac I-Iart upon the following agreement: “ Keane vs. Eisiier, — Fifth District Gourt of New Orleans.” “ Wre hereby agree and bind ourselves to protect Hr. Isaac Han’t as surety for Fisher, in the above entitled suit, and desire that Hr. Hart should defend himself against this suit, and if necessary, take an appeal to the Supreme Court, and we bind ourselves in solido to protect him fully, including costs and all incidental expenses. “New Orleans, April 7, 1853: (Signed) “ Goldsmith, Haber & Co.” It appears by plaintiff’s petition, that judgment was rendered against Han't, as surety for Fisher, on the b'ond by this court, for §2,000 and interest; and that Hart transferred the above obligation against Goldsmith, Haber & Go., to the plaintiff. The defendants excepted to the plaintiff’s petition on the ground that it disclosed no cause of action against the defendants. This exception was sustained. The defendants urge that Han't, as surety, must first pay the debt to Heame before he can acquire a right of action against them, which he can transfer; that suretyship cannot be extended from one person to another ; and that if the transfer was valid, no action could be maintained against the defendants until notice had been given them, according to Article No. 2613 of the Civil Code. The defendants are not strictly the sureties O'f a surety,- the fide jussoris éollaudatores, of Article '3007, of the Civil Code. The surety of the surety contracts with the creditor for the security of the latter, and on payment becomes ipso facto subrogated to his, the creditor’s, right, besides having his action of mandate or negotiorum gestorum, or de in rem verso against the debtors, according as his obligation has been entered into with the consent, or without the knowledge, or against the will of such debtor. Here the contract is with the surety, to indfemnify him against the cousequences of his having entered into the obligation of suretyship with the creditor, and the very exception taken by the defendants pre-supposes that the contract does hot, in itfeelf, give the creditor a right of action. Thfe contract is in its nature; one of personal warranty, i-'ecognized by Articles 378 and 379, of the Code Of Practico. The defendants bound themselves to protect Han't fully against the consequences of his obligation as surety to Keane. Han't, according to plaintiff’s petition, has been fixed as surety for Fisher in the sum of two thousand dollars by the final judgment of a court of the last resort. Now the defendants cannot fully protect Hart without paying the judgment rendered against him, or furnishing him with money to pay the same himself. We discover no good reason why Han't could not transfer his cause of action to the plaintiff if he found it his interest so to do. C. C. 1992, 1994; 9 Ann. 468; Art. 2613, of the Civil Code, is for the protection -of third persons, and the only notice the defendants were entitled to previous to the institution of the suit, was the amicable demand, the want of which they have not pleaded. The judgment of the lower court must be reversed, and the defendants must have an opportunity of traversing the facts alleged in plaintiff’s petition which have been taken as true on the exception. [562] It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the lower court be avoided and reversed, that the defendant’s exception be over-ruled, and that this case'be remanded to the lower court, there to be proceeded in according to> law, the defendants and appellants paying the costs of this appeal.