Ramot v. Schotenfels , 15 Iowa 457 ( 1863 )

Wright, Ch. J.

The note is dated October 19th, 1857, and the agreement relied upon by defendant, was made December 9, 1857. ' If this defense is to avail, it is upon the principle that it is a covenant never to sue, that if not technically equivalent to, it at least operates as a release, and may be so treated, and allowed to avoid circuity of actions. To give it this character, however, it must be a covenant never to sue. If not of this nature it cannot be treated as a release, nor pleaded in bar of the action. And we have found no case that would hold this to be an agree-. ment never to sue upon this note. It is, at most, but a stipulation equivalent to an agreement not to sue for a limited time, which has never been construed as a release, but for a breach thereof the injured party is remitted to his damages, more or less, according to circumstances. This agreement, instead of being a covenant “ not to sue at all,” in the language of one of the cases, Reed v. Shaw, 1 Blackf., 245, or to “ stop all proceedings in law, now or hereafter, Harvey v. Same, 3 Ind., 473, or “not to sue without limitation of time,” Drew v. Jeffries, Cro. Eliz., 352; Winans v. Huston, 6 Wend., 472 ; or “ never to sue the obligor,” Chandler v. Herrick, 19 John., 129, is but a “ renewal,” without fixing definitely the day of payment.

The presumption is, that the parties intended to act fairly and honestly. It is our duty to arrive at their intention by looking at the words of the agreement. To treat it as a discharge or release, is manifestly repugnant to such intent, and therefore, should not be implied. Aloff v. Scrimshaw, 2 Salk., 593. If there was an intention -to release, why stipulate for a rate of interest, maturing and payable in the future ? Then, again, the words “ renewed,” “and the whole amount then to pay,” show unmistakably that the parties regarded the liability as subsisting and continuing, and not as discharged or released.

We have suggested that this is at most, but an agreement not to sue for a limited time. The more satisfactory view, however, is, that as it fixes no time of payment, it was due and payable at its date, or at least within a reasonable time.

In Brannin v. Henderson, 12 B. Monr., 61, Henderson accepted an order in these words: “ I will see the within paid eventually.” This was held to be an undertaking to pay forthwith, Judge Hise, who prepared the opinion, remarking “that the only certain and sure way by which the acceptor can ever expect to see the amount of the order paid is to pay it himself, and thus, like some other prophets in the world, produce by his own action the verification of his own prediction.”

Haggin undertook to purchase for Williamson, a house and lot, and until he made such purchase, “ in which I am not to he hastened,” he was to furnish her a dwelling, &e. In a suit for a breach of this agreement, it was held that Haggin might be “hastened,” and could not have his lifetime to make the purchase of the house. 5 Monr., 9.

In this case we think if defendant has not been brought voluntarily to an agreeing mind, he may be judicially “ hastened ” to that conclusion.

Affirmed.