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5 Hill & Den. 145

Hunt v. Brown

New York Supreme Court

Decided May 15, 1843

New York Supreme Court · decided 1843-05-15

Assumpsit, tried before Kent, C. Judge, at the New-York circuit, in February, 1842. The plaintiffs sought to recover upon the defendant’s guaranty of a note as follows:—“ §287,10. Six months after date I promise to pay to the order of John Bagley, two hundred eighty-seven Tyu dollars at the Lockport Bank, for value rec’d. Lockport, March 20, 1837. (Signed) B. G. Lewis.” (Endorsed) “ J. Bagley.

Decided 1843-05-15

By the Court, Bronson, J.

¶1This is a collateral undertaking by the defendant as a surety to pay the debt of Lewis, and no consideration is expressed in, or can be inferred from the written agreement. The promise is clearly void within the statute of frauds. If it had been a guaranty of payment, the case would have fallen within the decision in Manrow v. Durham, (3 Hill, 584,) and the contract would have been upheld on the ground that it was a promissory note, which imports a consideration. But this is a guaranty of collection, and I am not aware that such an undertaking has ever been deemed a promissory note. The judge has reviewed his decision at the circuit and ordered a new trial, in which we think he was quite right.

¶2New trial granted.

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