Hebert v. Landry

Martin, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

The plaintiff states he is the endorser and drawee of a note of the defendant, which was protested, and on which suit was brought by a subsequent endorsee, against both the parties to the present suit, and judgment recovered ; that the present plaintiff has paid one half of the amount of the note, interest and costs.

The answer admits the execution of the note, its indorsement by the- plaintiff, the judgment against both parties, but alleges fraud, and that the note was given to renew another of Papeliot; on whom the present plaintiff and defendant were endorsers and sureties, and for no other cause; that both *304parties were equally bound as the sureties of Papeliot, on the original note, and intended to be so on the one sued on, that the defendant has paid all he was bound to pay on the last note as surety of Papeliot.

There was judgment against the plaintiff and he appealed.

Our attention is first drawn to a bill of exceptions taken to the opinion of the court, who admitted parole evidence, to establish the consideration of the note, in the manner set forth in the answer.

The appellant’s counsel, has relied on 9 Toullier, 279, art. 178, 184. It does not appear to us, that this authority can avail the appellant. This is an action by the drawee against the drawer of a promissory note. In such an action the latter has an undoubted right to go into an examination of the consideration on which the note was given, and this is generally doné by parole proof, and it cannot be opposed to the drawer, that he did not take a counter letter.

The counsel has further contended, that the parole proof does not absolutely establish the facts, alleged in the answer. The district judge thought it did, and we do not think he erred.

It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the-judgment of the District Court be affirmed with costs.