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16 Ind. 406

Brown v. Bunn

Indiana Supreme Court

Decided June 13, 1861

Indiana Supreme Court · decided 1861-06-13

<p>Suit against the makers and indorsers of a promissory note, made, and payable, in Illinois.</p> <p>Held, that as the note was not payable to order or bearer in a bank in this State, no cause of action was shown, under our law, against the indorsers.</p> <p>Eeld, also, that if the indorsements were made in Illinois, and governed by the law of that State, such law should have been pleaded.</p>

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently June 1927

2 state decisions

Relies on Hunt v. Standart · Wilson v. Clark · Shaw v. Wood

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1861-06-13

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Worden, J.

¶1Suit by Bunn against Howard, Jones and Severson, as makers of a promissory note payable to Bassett, and against Bassett and Brown as indorsers. The note was made, and also payable, in Illinois. It was indorsed by Bassett, the payee, to Brown, and by Brown to the plaintiff. Where the indorsements were made, does not clearly appear, but the inference is that they also were made in Illinois. Process was not served upon Bassett, and judgment by default was taken against the other defendants.

¶2Brown alone appeals, and makes the point that the complaint states no cause of action against him; and we think this objection is well taken. The complaint states no facts which would render Brown liable as indorser, under our law, governing the liability of indorsers of paper not governed by the law merchant. Such notes only are governed by the law merchant, as are payable to order, or bearer, in a banle in this State. 1 B. S. 1852, § 6, p. 318. Hence, if the indorsement is to be governed by our law, as having been made in this State, (vide Hunt v. Standard 15 Ind. 33,) there are no facts alleged sufficient to charge the indorser. If, on the other hand, the indorsement was made in Illinois, and to be governed by the law of that State, such law should have been pleaded, and relied upon as governing the case, which was not done. Vide, Shaw and another v. Wood and another, 8 Ind. 518; Wilson and another v. Clark, 11 Ind. 385.

Per Curiam.

¶3The judgment against Brown is reversed, with costs. Cause remanded, &c.

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