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32 S.C.L. 61

Wheeler v. Alexander

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided December 15, 1846

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1846-12-15

Tried before Mr. Justice Wardlaw, at York, Fall Term, 1846. Assumpsit on two papers, whereby the defendant promised to pay to the plaintiff certain amounts in “hubs, or lumber,” viz: 1 for $110 12, dated 1st January, 1845, at one day, credited by $3 00, Oct. ’45, and by $59 25, 20th March, ’46: 2d for $45 80, dated 31st January, ’46, at one week, expressed to be “for value received on settlement up to date.” These papers having been admitted, the defendant proceeded to…

Decided 1846-12-15

Waudlaw J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2The words “on settlement up to date,” added to a promise to pay for value received, like an acquittance or receipt on settlement, constitute an acknowledgement that a settlement has been made, and furnish prima facie evidence that the settlement embraced all matters of account which at the date subsisted between the parties. But this, like any other acknowledgement, may be explained or contradicted. It is certain, because it is in writing, but not therefore conclusive, It is entitled to more weight in the consideration of a jury than a verbal declaration, but stands on the same footing as to the admissibility of oppo*63sing evidence. If a full statement of the accounting and settlement which was made had been preserved in writing, and shewed that a particular demand was not included, the acknow-ledgement would not exclude or control this clear evidence to sustain that demand; other evidence of the omission of the demand may be feebler, but still is admissible. In like manner the giving of a note or payment of money by oñe party to the other, raises a presumption that the party promising or paying, has not then any valid demand upon which he might claim that he should receive money instead of paying it. But however strong the presumption, it is but a presumption of fact, which may be rebutted by sufficient evidence. According to these principles, the case was submitted to the jury, and this Court sees no sufficient reason for disturbing the verdict.

¶3The motion is dismissed.

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