Strickland v. Holbrooke

Foote, C. —This action was brought against Ellen E. Holbrooke to recover a money judgment upon a writing, as follows:—

“Grass Valley, July 8, 1882. “$1,000. Three years from date, I promise to pay to Daniel Strickland, for value received, in United States gold coin, at the rate of ten per cent per annual.

“Daniel P. Holbrooke. “Ellen E. Holbrooke.”

Had the one thousand dollars in figures and dollar-mark been expressed in words, the writing would have read thus:—

[269]“Grass Valley, July 8, 1882.

“One thousand dollars. Three years from date, I promise to pay Daniel Strickland, for value received, in United States gold coin, at the rate of ten per cent per annual. “ Daniel P. Holbrooke.

“Ellen E. Holbrooke.”

The action "was brought upon this instrument as if it was a promissory note for the payment of money; the prayer of the complaint was a judgment against Ellen E. Holbrooke for one thousand dollars, and interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum from date. A demurrer to the complaint being overruled, an answer was filed denying all the allegations of the first-mentioned pleading. Judgment was rendered as prayed for, and an order made denying the defendant’s motion for a new trial. From the judgment and order this appeal is taken.

The instrument above set out was offered in evidence; it was objected to, but admitted by the court. It was read, and the plaintiff offered evidence which tended to prove that no portion of the principal sum of money or interest thereon had ever been paid. The defendant offered no evidence whatever.

The question for determination is, What is the legal effect of the alleged promissory note?

To us it seems that, by the terms thereof, at Grass Valley, on the 8th of July, 1882, Daniel P. and Ellen E. Holbrooke, one thousand dollars, three years after said 8th of July, 1882, promised to pay Daniel Strickland, for value received, in United States gold coin, with ten per cent per annum; or what is the same thing:—