Nudd v. Burnett

• Decision Date: 14 January 1860
• Citation: 14 Ind. 20
• Parties: Nudd v. Burnett
• Court: Indiana Supreme Court

14 Ind. 20

Nudd v. Burnett

Supreme Court of Indiana

January 14, 1860

From the Wayne Court of Common Pleas.

The judgment is affirmed with costs.

N. H Johnson, M. Wilson and L. Develin for appellant.

B. F Claypool, for appellee.

OPINION

Hanna J.

Nudd brought suit and obtained judgment, before a justice of the peace for 75 dollars, the value of a horse. Burnett appealed to the Common Pleas. where he had verdict and judgment in his favor. It appears that the plaintiffs offered a witness to prove "his case," &c., when, before he had given his testimony, the defendant interposed, and asked him whether a note shown him contained the contract between the parties in regard to said horse, which interrogatory was answered by the witness in the affirmative. The Court thereupon refused to hear any "evidence contradicting or varying the note," and would not admit evidence offered to prove that on the day of the execution of the note, the defendant took, and has since held, possession of the horse refused to pay the note or return the horse upon demand made and tender of the note, &c., and the value of said horse &c.

The note in question is as follows:

"On or before the 25th day of December next, we, or either of us, promise to pay to Edward C. Nudd. or order, one hundred and fifty dollars, if James Buchanan is the next president of the United States; and if he is not the next president, then this note is null and void.

"$ 150. For value received this 5th day of September, 1856."

Signed by the defendant and another.

The errors assigned are in reference to the rulings of the Court in rejecting the evidence offered, &c.

The plaintiff contends that if the contract shown by the note was illegal, he had a right to repudiate it and sue for and recover the horse for which the note was given, or the value thereof. The other party insists that the contract was illegal; that the Court will not lend its aid to enforce it, or grant any relief, &c., but will leave the parties where they have placed themselves.

We are inclined to the latter view of the case. Here the contract upon the part of the plaintiff, was executed; that contract was illegal; and the Court should not be made an instrument in his hands to enable him to rescind or set at naught such contract, after he has so executed it. This differs from a suit against a stakeholder in this. that in the latter class of cases the party...