Treat v. Smith , 54 Me. 112 ( 1866 )

Aplleton, C. J.

The note in suit was signed by the defendant Wm. II. Josselyn, as surety for the other defendants.

On Feb. 22, 1862, and after the maturity of the uote, the plaintiff, for a valuable consideration, extended the time of payment by a written agreement in the following words :

"This is to certify that whereas I hold a note signed by Curtis Smith and Wm. H. Josselyn, dated Juue 1, 1860, and I agree to extend payment to Feb. 22, 1863, on said note, by agreement of parties. "Ezekiel Treat.”

This contract, being on good consideration, was binding upon the plaintiff. By it, the time of payment was extended. In such case, the surety is discharged, unless such extension was with his consent or at his request.

A valid agreement for delay, though made after the maturity of the note or after judgment in a suit upon it, discharges the surety, unless he agrees thereto. Turrill v. Boynton, 23 Verm., 142; Bangs v. Strong, 4 Coms., 316.

But if the contract, between the principal debtor and the creditor, for delay, is made with the assent of the surety, he is not discharged thereby, though it may operate to extend the time of payment. Wright v. Paine, 6 Bosworth, 600; Crosby v. Wyatt, 10 N. H., 318. Ex parte Harvey, 27 Eng. L. & E., 280.

The concurrence or assent of- the surety for delay may be shown by parol. Wyke v. Rogers, 12 Eng. L. & E., 162. It may be proved by circumstances or inferred from the usages of trade. Crosby v. Wyatt, 10 N. H., 318. A knowledge of the arrangement for delay while it is being negotiated, taking part in it or encouraging it, will justify a finding that the surety assented to it. Woodford v. Oxford & Worcester Railway Co., 21 Eng. L. & Eq., 285. The surety is not discharged if there be evidence of tacit assent on his part to the giving delay to the principal. Solomon v. Gregory, 4 Harr., (N. J.,) 112.

In the present case, the plaintiff testified that Josselyn requested him to wait on Smith as long as he could. Jos-selyn, on cross-examination, admitted that he did so request the plaintiff.

The presiding Judge instructed the jury "that the requests” so made by Josselyn, would not authorize Treat to extend the time of payment one year with Smith, as he did, so far as Josselyn was concerned.”

It was for the jury to determine, from the evidence, whether the delay granted was by the request of the surety or with his consent. The surety, most certainly, is not to be discharged because the holder of the note complied with his requests. In Suydam v. Vance, 2 McLean, 99, the Court held that, if there was a suspension of the right of the plaintiff to sue at the instance of and for the benefit of the indorser, his consent would be a waiver of any advantage from it.

In Adams v. Way, 32 Conn., 161, it was held, that a change of the time of payment, with the assent of the surety, would not discharge him. " It could not be tolerated, for a moment,” observes Dutton, J., " that, if the change was made with the full knowledge and consent of the grantor, he could take advantage of it, to avoid his contract.”

The ruling was peremptory and withdrew from the consideration of the jury the meaning and intent of Josselyn in what was said by him. This was erroneous. Linscott v. Trask, 35 Maine, 150; Whipple v. Wing, 39 Maine, 424.

Exceptions sustained.

Kent, Walton, Daneorth and Taplet, JJ., concurred.