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5 Thomp. & Cook 54

Benjamin v. Arnold

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1874

New York Supreme Court · decided 1874-10-15

Appeal by defendants Shults, Shaver and Snell, from a judgment in favor of plaintiff, entered upon the verdict of a jury and from an order denying a new trial. The action was brought in Steuben county by Phebe Benjamin against Lyman Arnold and others, upon a promissory note reading as follows: “ $1,000.

Relies on Campbell v. Tate

Decided 1874-10-15

Gilbert, J.

¶1Upon a consideration of the authorities in this country, and in England, it must be regarded as still an open question whether the evidence offered and rejected in this case was not admissible. See 1 Pars, on Rotes and Bills, ch. 7, § 2. At first blush, the reception of such evidence would not seem to contradict the contract created by the note, which is nothing more than an absolute promise to pay a sum of money, but to lay the foundation of a defense resting on equitable rules, wholly independent of the forinal contract. But as this.court, in the third department, in a recent case (Campbell v. Tate, 7 Lans. 370), has decided the precise point, we think it best to follow that decision, and leave it to the court of appeals to establish a contrary rule if justice should require it.

¶2The judgment is, therefore, affirmed.

¶3Judgment affirmed.

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