Bennet v. Robinson's Adm'r

Saffold, J.

The action was on a promissory note, purporting to have been drawn by Robinson, the-intestate in favor of Hacket, who assigned the same, by indorsement, to Rennet, the plaintiff in error ; who was alsd plaintiff below, and is the subscribing witness to the note. The plea denied the execution of the instrument. The attorney of Bennet, for the purpose of introducing the note, as evidence to the jury, offered proof of the hand writing of Bennet, as the subscribing witness; also of the signature of the maker, and of his admission of the note, as having been executed by him. This evidence was rejected, by the Circuit court.

The rejection of the evidence is the cause assigned for error.

This precise question is novel, in our' courts, though the authorities show, that it has occurred, in a few cases, in other States of the Union ; and, that numerous questions, bearing a near relation to it, have been adjudicated in America, as well as in England. The English decisions, the plaintiff insists, determine the question, on the principie of analogy, in his favor. 'The defendant contends for a material distinction between this case, and those relied on, to show error in the rejection of the evidence offered; that, the circumstance of its being the plaintiff’s own voluntary act, that has deprived him, the defendant, of the evidence, on which he must be presumed to have mainly relied; and, it being but a consequence of the samé act, that the evidence in question, is rendered necessary : these considerations ought, on the principles of law and justice, to deny the plaintiff the benefit of the secondary evidence, whatever rnay be the effect of the exclusion.

No doubt is entertained of the existence of the general rule, that, where the execution of an instrument is in issue, which purports to have been attested by one or more subscribing witnesses, whether it be a specialty or simple contract; the party wishing to establish the instrument, must do so, by the testimony of the subscribing witness; unless there be some circumstance, to bring the case within some of the legal exceptions tó the rule ; or, unless the instrument appear to be thirty years old — when, it is to be inferred, the witnesses are dead. Among the various exceptions to the rule, the following have been recognised : that the attesting witness is dead, has become blind; insane — that he has, since the attestation, been convicted of an offence, which renders him incompetent, as a witness — that the witness has, since the attestation, become interested — as, where he has become the administrator of the obligee — that the witness is beyond the jurisdiction of the court — that he cannot be found, after diligent enquiry, made at such place or places, where it appeared, he was most likely to be found. Any of these circumstances, and some others noticed, in the authorities, will excuse the non-production of the attesting witness, and authorise the introduction of secondary evidence, consisting of proof of his hand writing; and also, of the signature of the maker.a

It will be seen, that the numerous decisions, on this .point in America, and in England, have, with few' exceptions, treated proof of the hand writing of the subscribing vritness, as a resort to secondary evidence.

Starke, (vol., 1, p. 331,) adopts the language, which has been often reiterated in both countries; that “ the law requires the testimony of the subscribing witness, because the parties, themselves, have selected him, as the witness; have mutually agreed to rest upon his testimony, in proof of the execution of the instrument, and of the circumstances which then took place; and, because he knows those facts, which are probably unknown to others. So rigid,” says he, “is this rule, that-it is not super-sededfiu the case of a deed, by proof of an admission, or acknowledgment of the execution, by the party himself.”

It is true, this rule was greatly relaxed- by a case cited from New Yor.k.a There, in an action on an attested promissory note, proof of the confession of the maker, that he executed.it, was helcl sufficient by the Supreme court of that State, without calling the subscribing witness, or accounting for his absence. — - That court then viewed the contrary as a technical rule in the English courts. — relative to sealed instruments ; and as one probably adopted since the revolution — leaving them, at liberty to decide that case on what they considered more correct principles, from analogy to other cases. Judge Spencer, in delivering the opinion, uses the strong language, that, “the notion that the persons who attest an instrument, are agreed upon .to be the only witnesses to prove it, is not conformable to the truth of transactions .of this kind, and, to speak with all possible delicacy, is an absurdity.” And, (passing several intervening de~ cisi~ns, in the same State, remaining to be noticed,) in the case of Henry vs.Bishop,a which was on a seal~ed instrument, the court, by Chief~ Justice Savage, recognized the strictness of the rule, as being the law in Ji~ngtand, relative to written contracts, whether sealed or not; he considered it to have been relaxed as to instruments not under seal, by tile case of Hall vs. Phelps,b and Shaver vs. Ehle,c at least in regard to negotiable paper.. He also concurred in the denunciation of the reason assigned for the rule, as previously expressed by Justice Spencer, in its application to either sealed or unsealed instruments. He, however. said the old rule had been adhered to, by that court, in regard to sealed instruments, and eou1d only b€ changed by the~legislature. But neither of those judg. es explained how they derived more power to repudiate the law, in. regard to one instrument more than another. It may also be noticed that the case of Hall vs. Phelps, was on certiorari, from a judgment of s justice of the peace, and was submitted without argument. And in the case of Shaver vs. Ehie, thougt the court spoke of the relaxation of the rule, in respeel to negotiable paper, by the former case, without expressing particular approbation or diss~nt, they said. it "would be very unsafe, unless great strictness and certainty were required, in the secondary proof; and they held it inadmissible, in that case, on the ground that it did not sufficiently identify the note.

According to my researches, and those of the learned counsel concerned in this argument, the decision in Hall vs. Phelps, was a departure from a very current principle of decision, both in England and the United States, as well before, as since its date. Nor can I subscribe to the repudiation of the policy of the general rule, with its various acknowledged exceptions, especially under statutes similar to ours, which dispenses with all proof of either bonds or notes, further than their bare production; unless the defendant, 'when sued on them, will, on bath, deny their execu'tion. As, with us, there can be no necessity for an attesting witness, unless there be some collateral, or incidental, agreement, or some distrust between the. parties; when we find that the instrument presupposed. some necessity, and a particular person is therein designated as the witness, I consider it not irrational to suppose that he understands the facts of the contract, better than any other person except the parties, and-would often understand or recollect them better than the parties themselves: also, that at the dime of the consummation of the contract, the particulars thereof, were more explicitly and correctly declared, than they would likely be by any subsequent casual remarks, of either of the parties. PXence the necessity of producing the subscribing witness, unless prevented by some- cause over which the party requiring the proof, had not a perfect discretionary control.

I do not find that the relaxation of the rule has been recognised and confirmed, even in the same court. — The case of Mills vs. Twist,a was an action of assump-sit, on a written contract, to the execution of which there were two subscribing -witnesses, who were the sons of the defendant. On the day previous to the setting of the court, the plaintiff inquired of the defendant for the witnesses in order to subpoma them; who falsely replied, they were gone on a journey. On the question, whether, under these circumstances, the evedence of others, of the .hand writing, of the witnesses was admissible, the court held, that it was not; that the proof, that the witnesses could not. be found, was too loose, to let in the secondary evidence of proof of their hand writing.---They said, there was no case, that had relaxed the rule to that extent; that the party was bound to show, that he had made fair and diligent enquiry, and could not procure the witness; that, in the case before them, there was not timely and sufficient diligence used.-

In the case of Jackson vs. Root, a the question was, whether a receipt to which a subscribing witness appeared, but who was so aged and infirm, that he could not attend court, was admissible, as evidence, on proof, by another, of his hand writing. The .court decided, it was-not; and remarked that the witness, although very aged and infirm, did not appear to be incapable, from the state of his mind, to testify ; and therefore, ought to have been examined, under a commission. I consider the two latter casos to have fully overruled the doctrine of Hall vs. Phelps, in the State of New York.

The case of Fox vs. Reil, b which was prior to the two last quoted, was on a bond, concerning which, a similar question arose. A very learned opinion of the Supreme court, was declared by Chief Justice, Kent. The case of Hall vs. Phelps, having been relied on by the counsel, as decisive of the principle in that State, the Ch. Justice drew a distinction between specialties, and simple.contracts. He said, he had concurred in the decision of the former case referred to, from a sense of the great inconvenience of the English rule, when applied to commercial paper, which circulates with equal facility and credit, without the incum-brance of a subscribing, witness; and, because he did not recollect a case, in which the application of the rule, requiring the subscribing witness, did not arise upon a specialty. He recognised, as an ancient •and uniform rule, “that when the defendant has not acknowledged his deed, before a competent public officer; or has not expressly agreed to admit, it in evi-. dence, upon the trial; but, has put himself upon his plea of non est factum, the plaintiff must produce the subscribing witness, and give the defendant the benefit of an investigation of the circumstances attending the execution of the deed.” He sketched the early -history of deeds, and the manner of making, and determining the proof of their execution: together with the changes they have undergone, at different stages-•of the English jurisprudence; and concluded, by saying, that, to admit the proof, -in the case before them, would be an innovation upon an established iule, and one which was not urged upon them by any strong considerations of public policy. He did not, however, refer to any authority, recognising a distinction in the rule of practice, in this respect, depending on the nature of the instrument, whether a deed or simple contract. On the contrary, the reporter subjoined a note, maintaining, that the rule-applies equally to all written instruments, which are attested.a

The case, most favorable to' the plaintiff, of any cited in argument, was that of the lessee of Hamilton vs. Marsden,b The action was ejectment, for a tract of land, which the plaintiff claimed, derivatively, under a location. Having proved a lease of the premises, by himself, to a certain John Magee,-on the sixth June, 1785; and, that, the defendant claimed, under Magee, he rested his case. The defendant. then, to enable himself to prove title, adverse to the plaintiff, offered a witness, to prove, that Magee, had taken a lease of the premises from James Brown, and, being in possession, by virtue of the same, the plaintiff came, with two men, armed with guns, and threatened to turn him off, unless he would take a lease from Hamilton: and, in consequence, he did take the lease. The court admitted the evidence,to, which the plaintiff’s counsel excepted. Further, the defendant proved the circumstances attending Hamilton’s lease from Brown to Magee, to which there were two- subscribing witnesses, John Marsden, the then defendant, and Yost Marsden, both disinterested at the time of the attestation, but, who. had become interested, subsequently, by their own act: -and’, having proved, by a witness, that there was an agreement, in writing, between Brown and Magee, he offered to prove the hand writing of those subscribing witnesses, as a ground for reading the lease to the jury. The court admitted the evidence, and the lease was read; to which, also, the plaintiff excepted. These opinions were sustained by the appellate, court.

. Chief Justice Tilgman, (whose opinion, as well as Justice Yales's, seems to have prevailed,) said, “the general rule is conceded, that where a subscribing witness becomes interested, after the time of subscribing, his hand writing may be proved ; but, the plaintiff’s counsel contends, that this rule is not applicable .to cases, where the witness becomes interested, by his own voluntary act. I find no warrant for this distinction. The authorities are to the contrary.”

He referred to the case of Godfrey vs. Norrisa — where the plaintiff, haying been the only subscribing witness to the bond, had become administrator de boms non, of the obligee; yet, his hand writing was admitted to be proved. He also cited Sluby vs. Champlin,a where ii was decided, that a bond might be read in evidence, on proof of the hand writing of the subscribing witness, who was absent, in foreign parts, without proof of the hand writing of the obligor: and said, the court, in which he presided, had never decided to the contrary; and there seemed to be good reason, for adopting the same rule.— That, the evidence was not conclusive, and under suspicious circumstances, the jury might not be satisfied, without further proof.

Justice Yates said, “If the subscribing witness can not be had at the trial, a secondary mode of proof was allowed, from, the necessity of the case: and referred to the English authorities, for many of the qualifications to the general rule, requiring the evidence of the subscribing witness; and which, in-cases where it could not be had, authorised proof of his signature.” This, he observed, was the mode of proof, known to the law, from immemorial usage; though he still adhered to the opinion, which he expressed in Clark vs. Sanderson,b that the hand-writing of the party to the instrument, would be stronger proof of its execution, than the signature of any witness, proved by other witnesses. But, that they must take the law as they found it; and, it would be attended with much uncertainty and inconvenience, if the rules of evidence should be changed, according to their abstract ideas'of the reasonableness of them from time to time.

Here, we discover., that the main authority' relied on, in' the above recited case, is the recognition of the principio, by other cases, that, if the subscribing witness shall become administrator 1o the contracting party, his signature may be proved, on the ground, that he is interested and incompetent, and, therefore, no better evidence can be had: and, this is viewed as a voluntary act, and placed on a footing with a private assignment, for the individual benefit of the parties thereto. I. perceive, however an important distinction, between the nature of the transactions. One may be appointed executor, without his privity or consent — or, he may, by kindred, be the person designated by law, to undertake the administration. In either case, though he has the power to decline, he may feel it a moral duty to act, to avoid great sacrifices to himself or others. He may by accepting the administration, acquire a far greater interest than the amount, of the contract, to which he was the subscribing witness; and this, without any connivance or primary agency of his own; or, he may have but. a nominal interest, connected with the moral duty to act for ihe greater benefit of others. It is, also, worthy of remark, that if the witness become administrator, it is without the agency of the obligee or payee: if he be nominated executor, this is presumed, to have been done, at a time, when the testator, if not immediately, approaching dissolution, is, at least, in melancholy meditation on his future destiny — a situation which would not permit him to machinate, and record a plan of fraud. Then, as the peculiar circumstances, in this respect, must, in each 'case, determine the admissibility of the secondary evidence, there would seem to be great propriety in recognising a regular and unsuspicious appointment, either as executor or administrator, as one, of the many exceptions to the general rule, that the subscribing witness must be produced. But, in all cases, the correct doctrine is, “that it ought to be-satisfactorily proved, that a reasonable, honest and diligent inquiry has been made, without any evasion, and without any design to overlook the witness.a

j think, it does not follow, that a.purely discretionary act, to which the witness and obligee or payee, are presumed to have been prompted, by motives of private interest, alone — and which, in legal contemplation, is prejudicial to the obligor or pay- or — should deprive either of the benefit of the best testimony — that on which they had agreed to rely, at the tune of making the contract: and this, for the benefit of the parties to such act, or either of them.

In the case of January vs. Goodman,b the court of common pleas of Pennsylvania, ruled, that if the parties to a promissory noté, choose to have a subscribing witness, there is no just ground, for a distinction between the proof necessary, in the case- of bonds and notes. — That the rule-of law, as to the best evidence of the signature of a note, as well as the sealing and delivery of a bond, is, that no such proof shall be admitted, which ex natura rei, supposes still higher evidence behind, in the party’s own possession or power. They further remarked, that, /‘as no solid distinction, between the case of bonds and notes can be shewn, upon principle: so, none appears, from the authorities;” and, that the casein 2d Stra. 1149, relative to the proof of promissory notes, before the jury of inquiry, was decisive of the rule.

, The case of Cooke vs. Woodrow,c relates to an ins|rument, which appears to have been of.the nature of simple contract, and purported to have been executed by John NVitlners, and to which John Purson had subscribed his name as a witness. The plaintiff tendered it in evidence, with proof, that the witness, more than a year before, left the District of Columbia, declaring he would go to Pliladélphia, or New York; and that he had a wife, in New York.— That he, in fact, went to Norfolk, and then said' he would go on further to the south, and had not been heard of for the last twelve months. A subpoena, for him, had issued, to the marshal of the District of Columbia; but he could not be found there. The plaintiff then offered to prove the hand writing of the subscribing witness, and of the maker of the in--strument. Chief Justice Marshall, in delivering the opinion of the court, says, “the rule of evidence is,that the best evidence must be produced, which the nature of the case, admits of, and which is in the power of the party. In consequence of that rule, the testimony of the subscribing witness must be had, if possible. But, if it appear, that, the testimony of the subscribing witness cannot be had, the next best evidence, is proof of his hand writing.” In that case, it did not appear, that sufficient diligence had been used, to procure the testimony of the witness— that a subpoena should have been sent to Norfolk: without such proof, neither the evidence of the signature of the witness, nor of the maker of the instrument, was sufficient.

The case of Spring vs. S. C. Insurance Co.a is material, only, to shew, that ten years since the preme court of the United Statesc ontinued to regard proof of the hand writing of the subscribing witness only as secondary evidence. That court held, that the evidence, that the subscribing witness to a deed, had been d.iligcnilv inquired after, having- gone to sea, and been absent for four years, without having been heard from, was sufficient to raise the presumption of his death, and let in secondary evidence of his hand writing.

It is said, by Phillips, (Ev. 357,) that the rule, requiring proof, by the attesting witness, if he can bé produced, “applies equally to all instruments which are attested.” Again, he says, (p. 362,) if a deed, tor other written instrument is attested, but none of the witnesses are capable of being examined, the course then is, to prove an attesting witness’ hand writing.”

These authorities, alone, establish the principle, conclusively', that, when the execution of an attested instrument, whether under seal or not, is properly in issue, the evidence of the subscribing witness, is, and has ever been, deemed the best, and only admissible evidence; unless the impracticability of producing it, be satisfactorily shewn; or, unless he be legally incompetent, from some cause, not chargeable as a fault, (against the party on whom the making the proof devolves.

Then, the question recurs, whether the subscribing witness, in this case, by means of the assignment to himself, was rendered incompetent, in a manner au-thorising the introduction of the secondary evidence, of either the signature of the witness, or of the maker — or, even the subsequent admission of the latter, that he executed the bote. It will be observed, that if the subscribing witness was incompetent, at the time of his attestation, the same is to be regarded as a perfect nullity — the parties have designated no Witness — and the proof must, in all respects-, be as if there had been nothing purporting an attestation. It will, also, be recollected that the nearest app'roach that the authorities make to this case, in authorising the secondary evidence, is, where the subscribing witness becomes administrator or executor of the obligee or payee: and, then it.is allowed, only from necessity, and only for what it is worth : except, that, in the case of the lessee of Hamilton vs. Marsden, it was admitted, under peculiar circumstances, calculated to create strong predilection, in favor of the party offering it.

Surely, there is a-wide and essential difference, between the acceptance of the general fiduciary appointment of the administration of an estate, (including the particular instrument,) for the benefit of the representatives, and a private contract, by assignment; for the ownership of the note, for the party’s individual benefit This plaintiff purports to have been a competent witness — assuring to the defendant, the highest grade of evidence, respecting the circumstances of the contract, and execution of the note, until the moment he exercised his private discretion, to do the very act, which, alone, renders it incumbent on him, to make the proof which he now wishes to do — by an inferior grade of evidence. Although the" acceptance of an administration has beeii, and, in common parlance, may be called, voluntary-often, it is a strong moral duty; and, generally, the volitiotfis entirely different from taking an indorsement of an instrument, in an individual contract. Nothing is more essential to the common rights of property, than the preservation, as far as practicable, of the evidence of contracts, in its original purity; nor should it ever be allowed to any party, by his own wrong, to vary the state of the evidence, for- his personal advantage. This, it is presumable, this plaintiff will have done, if he be now permitted to avail himself of the secondary evidence, in question.

In Johnson, assignee vs. Knight & Knight,a in a gpgcxal case, the jury stated, that the plaintiff was a subscribing witness to the bond, sued on, of which both the defendants acknowledged the execution — that one of them promised to pay it, and the other said he expected to have it to pay, and it would ruin him. The question was, whether"this was sufficient proof of the execution of the bond. Justice, Locke, in delivering' the opinion of the court, said, it had already been decided, in that court, and bet'ween the same parties, that it was improper to reéeive evidence of the hand writing of the subscribing witness, who was the plaintiff, and had taken a voluntary assignment of the bond in question. But, the cause was again submitted to the court to say, whether the acknowledgment of the defendant, that he had given such bond, and would pay it, is not legal and proper evidence, to be submitted to a jury,"to prove its execution. This point, said he, was expressly decided, case of Abbot vs. Plumb,b and in Cunliffe & MaTby, his wife, and others versus Sefton and others.c That, Lawrence, Justice, as late as 1802, in delivering his opinion in that case, repeats this, as a 'general principal of law: and, although the evidence of the subscribing witness may be dispensed with, in-cases of marriage, or, in favor of executors or administrators, from necessity, and in furtherance of justice; yet, he had been unable to find a single case, where it had been dispensed'with, by reason of the subscribing witness becoming assignee. He was, therefore, of opinion, that the verdict ought to be set aside; and leave given the plaintiff to suffer a non-suit.a

I am, therefore, of opinion, that the judgment the Circuit court must ,be affirmed. -

a 1Starkie, 337 to tho-cited.

a 2 John R. 451.

a 2 ~\Tend. 575.

b 2 John.IL 451.

c 1 lb. 20L

a John.121.

a 18 John 60

b 3 ib. 477-

a 2Maul. & Sel. 62-Phil Ev357

b 6 Bin. 45.

a 1 Stra. 34

a 4John 46.

b 3 Bin. 196

a 2East.183

b 1 Dai. 208

c 5 Cranch, 13.

a 8 Wheat. 268

a N.C.Law Repos. 93.

b Dong216, 217

c 2East.187

a 1 Murph. 293; 1 Tyler's R. 4; 1Starkie on Ev. 348, note 2.