Carter v. Hope

By the Court, Edwards, J.

It appears from the error book in this case, that the declaration of the plaintiff in the court below contained the general money counts; and that the plaintiff furnished a bill of the particulars of his demand, in which he stated, amongst other things, that he claimed the amount of f>594,82 for cash lent and advanced by the plaintiff to the defendant on the 7th of August, 1849. On the trial of the cause the plaintiff offered in evidence a bank check, in the amount and of the date, stated in the bill of particulars, and signed “ Thompson & Garter.” The counsel for the defendant admitted the signature of the check to be in the hand-writing of the defendant, but objected to its admissibility in evidence under the declaration and bill of particulars. The court admitted the evidence, and the counsel excepted.

It is an ancient and elementary rule of special pleading, that the non-joinder of defendants in an action ex contractu can only be taken advantage of by plea in abatement, and not under the general issue. (1 Chitty's Pl. 48. 2 John. Cas. 38.) One of the reasons assigned for this rule is, that evidence of a joint contract does not sustain the general issue, inasmuch as the defendant, in a joint undertaking, is liable for the whole amount, although another person is also liable, and as between themselves is bound to contribute. (Rice v. iShute, 5 Burr. 261.) In other words, there is no variance between the allegation of a sole liability and proof of a joint undertaking.

But it is contended in this case that the bill of particulars confines the plaintiff to proof of a several contract. In the case of Pierce v. Crafts, (12 John. 90,) it was held that the payee of a negotiable note might give it in evidence under the general count for money lent. It will be seen by reference to the bill of particulars, that it contains but a repetition of the count for money lent and advanced, with the additional statement of a specific amount and date. It will also be seen that the amount and date compared precisely with the check offered in evidence. How then can it be said that there is what the law regards as a variance 7 If there Avould be no variance under a count for money lent, how can it be said that there is a variance between the proof and the same allegation of money lent, contained in the bill of particulars 7 The plaintiff in error can not complain that he has been misled; for one oi^the reasons given wly the objection of a non-joinder of defendants in an action ex contractu can only be taken by plea in abatement is, that the defendant ought not to be permitted to lie by, and put the plaintiff to the delay and expense of a trial, and then set up a defense, not founded on the merits of the case, but on the form of the proceeding. (Rice v. Shute, 5 Burr. 261.) If the bill of particulars did not furnish sufficient information of the indebtedness to which it referred, the defendant below should have obtained a further bill. If it did furnish sufficient information, as it unquestionably did, then the reason of the rule cited has peculiar application to the circumstances of this case.

Judgment affirmed.