Keatly v. McLaugherty

Opinion of the court, delivered by

Wash J.

This was an action of covenant brought by the defendant in error, against the plaintiff, in the St. Louis'circuit court, in which there was a judgment by default for Mc-Laugherty, to reverse which, the present writ of error is prosecuted. For the plain tiff in error, the following points have been raised. 1st. That it is not shown with’whom the plaintiffin error covenanted. — 2nd. That no performance of the condition precedent to the defendant’s obligation to pay, is averred. — 3rd. That no sufficient breach is set out. For the defendant in error, it is insisted that all the defects of the declaration are cured by the judgment: As to the first point, it is stated in the declaration, that Keatly ‘‘covenanted and agreed to pay unto the said John McLaugherty” &c, the objection that it is not stated to, or with whom he covenanted, is well taken, and the judgment must be reversed. The cases of Tate and Barcroft, and Laberge, vs. McCausland, decided by this court, settle this point. A covenant may be made, ana often is made to one person, to pay money or render service to another. The reversal of the judgment on this first point, makes it unnecessary to examine minutely the other two. It may be well to state, however, that the declaration seems clearly defective in not averring the performance, or the readiness to perform, or some sufficient excuse theiefor, of the condition precedent, at the place and with*222In the time specified, as also, in not stating the broach to Toney and McLaugherty, in the life time of Toney; the promises and undertakings being to the firm, the statement oí the breach, should have been the failure to pay, or perform to the partners of the firm, or to either of them. The judgment by deiault m the circuit court, did not cure the substantial defects of the declaration complained of, and must be reversed with costs.

covenant to partners, breach should be, the fail— me to perform to them or either of them. The above errors are not cured b}r a judgt. by default.