Locke v. Mackinson & Murphy

Merrick, C. J. “ Plaintiff sued on an open account and obtained a judgment in the lower court for the sum of four hundred and forty-one dollars and thirty-eight cents, with five'per cent, from September 23d, 1855, against the defendants in solido. From this judgment Murphy has appealed. “ The grounds of defence are : 1st, payment; 2d, novation; 3d, that by taking the note of J. B. Stiles c6 Co. in settlement of the account due defendants, plaintiff has made the debt his own.” The proof shows that the accounts of Stiles & Co. were taken conditionally ; if they were paid, they were to be 'credited ; if not, they were to be returned and the Clerk, of plaintiff to whom they were delivered, was authorized to settle the matter in any way he could. Here was no payment and no novation. Neither did the taking of a note at twenty days after date, under the power granted in this case, make the plaintiff responsible as defendant’s agent, under the authorities in 16 La. 150 ; 12 Rob. 428 and 6 An. 763. When he could not obtain payment of the note, he was, by the agreement, authorized to return it. The answer praying for damages as for a frivolous appeal, was not filed in time. 7 N. S. 657 ; 14 La. 288, 391. Judgment affirmed.