1831 and costs. THE UNION BANK OF GEORGETOWN V. GEARY. The judgment was confessed for four thousand dollars damages and costs, to be released on payment of two thousand dollars with interest from January 24th, 1815, until paid. Various payments from May 30th, 1815, until Merrill, August 6th, 1816, were made by amounting to seven hundred and fifty-three dollars and thirty-nine cents. but voluntarily to confess a judgment thereon, | the sum of two thousand two hundred dollars, for the amount of the debt, principal, interest, upon his promissory note indorsed by Everard Geary, and avers that the loan was made exclusively on the credit of the indorser; Geary having proposed himself as security of Merrill, whom he was anxious to assist and benefit by indorsing his note. The answer alleges that the needy circumstances of Merrill were well known to the defendants and to the indorser: he never had sufficient property to pay his debts, and that the indorser was known to be in good circumstances, and of ability and willingness to discharge his debts and responsibili ties. During his lifetime the indorser frequently promised to save and protect the bank from any loss on account of Merrill's inability to meet the note; and had he lived, he would punctually have complied with such promises. The complainant charges that at the time of confessing the judgment, a valid legal defense existed against the suit, which would have defeated the plaintiff's right to recover on the indorsement; the plaintiffs not having made the due and legal demand, and given due and legal notice, so as to bind the indorser; that the attorney of the bank well knew the same, and therefore, and to prevent complainant from contesting the suit, made the proposition before stated. The bill further charges that when the judgments were obtained against Merrill and the complainant, on the note, Merrill resided in Georgetown, and had then and there sufficient property to satisfy and pay the judgments, and 101*] the same #might then and for some time afterwards have been recovered by process of execution, issued either against the body or the goods of Merrill. Complainant repeatedly and earnestly called upon the plaintiffs, and urged them to issue execution against Merrill and recover their debt according to the agreement and understanding upon which she had confessed judgment. The plaintiffs, however, continued to indulge Merrill for a long space of time, and, notwithstanding all the remonstrances of the complainant, permitted him to leave the district and take with him all his property beyond the process of the court; nor have they taken any effectual and proper means to recover the debt from said Merrill, as bound by their agreement to do. Merrill is now, as the complainant is informed and believes, in insolvent circumstances. And now, that by their misconduct and breach of faith, they have lost the means of recovering the judgment from Merrill; the plaintiffs most unjustly and unreasonably demand payment of the same from the complainant, and threaten to proceed against her on said judgment, which she believes they mean to do. The answer of the defendants below, which was filed under their corporate seal and was not sworn to, admits that Merrill did borrow sheriff to renew an execution in the name of his client. Cheever v. Merrick, 2 N. H., 376; consent to an order of reference. Stokely v. Robinson, 34 Penn., St., 315; Woder v. Powell, 31 Ga.. 1; Smith V. Bassard, 2 McCord's Ch., S. C., 406; Tiffany v. Lord, 40 How, Pr. R., N. Y.. 481. Upon the death of E. Geary, his administratrix, the complainant, refused to pay the note when it became due, and suffered the same to be protested; and it became necessary for defendants to institute suits against the drawer and indorser; upon which [*102 suits judgments were obtained in December, 1817. As to so much of the bill as charges any persuasion or agreement by the attorney of the bank, the defendants deny the same; and aver that the judgment was not obtained voluntarily, the complainant having appeared to the suit, and contested the same in every stage until the trial term; and when defendants were prepared with all necessary proof, and the case actually called for trial, the attorney of complainant, knowing that he had no good and valid defense, confessed the judgment. The defendants deny that they ever authorized or directed their attorney to hold out any inducements to the complainant to confess the judgment, or to make any such persuasions and promises as are set forth in the bill; and they aver that such persuasions and promises would have been wholly superfluous and unnecessary, as the complainant was legally and justly liable and bound to the defendants for the payment of the debt, and was then better acquainted with the situation of Merrill than the defendants or their attorney. They deny that the complainant had any valid legal defense to the action; but aver that payment of the note was legally demanded, and that due notice of nonpayment was given. But whatever defense the complainant might have had, which is denied, the defendants insist that she has waved any such legal or technical de He may stay execuGorham v. Gale, 7 Cow., 739. tion, and discharge defendant from arrest thereon. Silvis v. Ely, 3 Watts. & S., 420; Hopkins v. Willard, 14 Vt., 474; Scott v. Seller, 5 Watts., 235. As to liability of agent to principal, see note to note to Under a general retainer the authority of the Bell v. Cunningham, 3 Pet, 69. 4s to agent's authorattorney ceases when the suit is brought to a finality, and how far principal bound, see judgment. Walradt v. Maynard, 3 Barb., 584; Adams Parsons v. Armon, 3 Pet., 413. As to personal liabil v. Fort Plain Bank, 23 How. Pr. R., N. Y., 45; 36 N. ity of agent on his contracts, see note to Jones v. Y., 25; Mygatt v. Wilcox, 1 Lans., 55; his author- Letombe, 3 Dall., 384. Cannot act for both parties, nor for himself. See note to Massie v. Watts, 6 ity is also terminated by the death of the client. Putnam v. Van Buren, 7 How. Pr. R., N. Y., 31; his Cranch, 148. Declarations of agents as part of the res authority, however, continues on writ of error or gesta. See note to Leed v. Marine Ins. Co., 2 Wheat., appeal. Adams v. Fort Plain Bank, 23 How. Pr. R., 380. Corporations bound by varol contracts of agent. 45; he may issue execution, and direct the manner See note to Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria v. Bank of enforcing it, and receive the money thereon. of Columbia, 5 Wheat., 326. Power of attorney, and See authorities above cited, and Hyann v. Mitchell, agency, when revoked. See note to Hunt v. Rous3 Rich.; S. C., 303; Willard v. Goodrich, 31 Vt., 597; manier, 8 Wheat., 174. 61 fense, and omitted to protect herself thereby | *and it would clear her from paying the [*104 at law, and cannot now avail herself of the same in equity. They deny that when the judgment was obtained, or at any time afterwards, Merrill had sufficient property unincumbered whereon execution could have been levied and the money made; and they believe that had they issued an execution against his body, it would have involved a useless increase of costs, as they believe he would have taken the benefit of the in- | solvent law; they deny that they have been remiss and inattentive in obtaining payment from Merrill; on the contrary, they aver that by their active exertions they did obtain payment from Merrill eight hundred and fifty-three dollars which otherwise never would have been paid. They deny ever having granted indulgences to Merrill without the knowledge, consent and concurrence of the complainant, or that they 103*] *permitted him to leave the district and take his property with him, or refused to take proper and efficient measures to recover their judgment from him. debt, as Merrill had a sufficient property clear of incumbrance: which he admitted he had told her, but that the fault was not in him, but in the directors of the bank. He did not think that she was in danger of paying the debt; for he thought they would still get it out of Merrill. Merrill had considerable property in his possession when he left the district; but the witness did not know his title to it. He heard Mr. Wiley say he had ascertained that it was clear of incumbrances, and that he had sufficient to satisfy the judgment. He heard Mrs. Geary tell Mr. Wiley she never would have confessed judgment if he had not told her that he would clear her by instantly levying on Merrill's property; and that she verily believed it was in his power to have the execution levied at his will which he admitted. The reason assigned by Mr. Wiley was that the directors of the bank would not suffer the execution to issue, as they knew their debt was safe, and did not wish to break up Merrill. The witness also stated that he knew of frequent apThe answer also states that whenever they plications by Mrs. Geary to Wiley to have execalled upon the complainant to pay the debt, cution issued, and went frequently himself on they were ready and willing to make an assign that business; but they would not suffer the exment of the judgment against Merrill, and re-ecution to issue. One of the directors advised peatedly offered to do so before he left the district, which was refused. On the answer being filed, the Circuit Court, on motion, dissolved the injunction; and the complainant having filed a general replication, the testimony of various witnesses was taken; and upon a final hearing, the court revived and perpetuated the injunction. From this decree an appeal was entered. The substance of the depositions is as follows: Daniel Renner, a director of the bank, says that he was called on by Mrs. Geary to get the Union Bank to have an execution issued against Merrill before Merrill left the district. He made the application to the board. No answer was made, or, if any, to this effect: that they were not bound to press Merrill; that Mrs. Geary, if she pleased, could pay the judgment and then adopt such course as she pleased. He is not certain whether this suggestion came from the board or from some of them out of the bank. Mrs. Geary made frequent applications to him to get execution issued against Merrill before he left town, and he several times spoke of it to the board. G. Cloud stated that all the knowledge he had of the judgment was from the conversations between the cashier of the bank, Renner, Merrill, and Wiley, the attorney of the bank, and Mrs. Geary. He well recollects the conversation between Mrs. Geary and Mr. Wiley on the subject of her confessing judgment; and understood from the conversation of both of them, that if she would agree and confess judgment, she was to be cleared, and the money to be made out of Merrill's property, as he (Wiley) said he had ascertained that Merrill had property sufficient to satisfy the debt which was clear of incumbrances; and that it was expressly on these conditions that she confessed judg Mrs. Geary to pay off the judgment, and then the bank could not prevent her from having the execution issued; but she could not procure the money to do so. He has heard Mr. Renner say that the directors did not use Mrs. Geary well by withholding the execution and suffering Merrill to leave the district; and that he had done what he could to have the execution issued, but to no effect. E. Riggs, a director of the bank, stated that he does not remember any agreement between the bank or its officers and Mrs Geary. He remembers a decision of the Circuit Court exonerating indorsers upon a fourth day protest. He remembers that complainant, or some person for her, made application to the board to call on Merrill for the debt and press him for payment. The reply of the board (made by Dr. Magruder, as well as deponent recollects) was that Merrill was not then able to pay, but was about to remove where he would probably be more able to pay; but that complainant, if she chose, might pay the money, and have the judg ment assigned to her; but the majority of the board did not feel themselves *called [*105 upon to distress Merrill by complying with her request. Some of the board thought differently; and thought that if she could make anything out of Merrill's property, she should be allowed to do so. These were casual remarks, but no decision made. He thinks the application was made by Mr. Renner, or by Mr. English, the cashier. He was always opposed to the loan to Merrill; but was always answered that the indorser was sufficient. David English, the cashier, states that he never knew of the agreement until the bill was filed, nor did he know, when the judgment was confessed, that the Circuit Court had delivered their opinion upon the insufficiency of a four days' protest. It was determined not to issue He heard Mrs. Geary tell Mr. Wiley that he execution against Merrill, but upon what grounds had promised that if she would confess judg. he did not recollect. It was said the board ment it would be better for her, as he would were willing to assign the judgment. The note have the execution levied on Merrill's property; | fell due before the decision of the court relative ment. 1831 THE UNION BANK OF GEORGETOWN V. GEARY. to a four days' protest. The practice of protesting on the fourth day was general with all the banks, and the indorser being a considerable dealer in the banks, was probably acquainted with it. The suit was in the hands of Mr. Wiley. James A. Magruder deposed that Mr. Wiley was the attorney, or counsel, for the Union Bank, at the time the judgment was confessed by the complainant. It was known to the bank before the judg ment was confessed that many of their suits against indorsers for trial at that term were in jeopardy, in consequence of the late decision of the court as to the insufficiency of the demand and notice on the fourth instead of the third day of grace He understood from Wiley that he was authorized and requested by the bank, or some of its officers, to adjust all such cases, and get judgments confessed by the parties, so as to avoid such defenses being made by the indorsers. He was requested by said Wiley to call on several of the indorsers, and among others, the complainant, with a view to make such adjustment; and did advise her to see Mr. Wiley, who was friendly to her, and would not advise her to do anything against her interest. The case was argued by Mr. Swann for the appellants, and by Mr. Coxe and Mr. Jones for the appellee. 106* *Mr. Swann contended that the complainant had not made out a case for the action of a court of chancery. The allegations of the bill were denied in the answer, and these allegations did not exhibit facts which entitled the complainant to relief, nor were they supported by the testimony of witnesses. The bank gave no authority to their attorney to accept a judgment on the terms stated, and the judgment was entered at the trial term, when the plaintiffs in the suit were prepared with witnesses to prove the liability of the administratrix in fact and at law; nor had the drawer of the note property to pay the judgment. His inability to pay the note was known when the loan was made, and it was made on the credit and sufficiency of the indorser. means sustains the The evidence by no allegations of the bill. No two witnesses support the facts it asserts: and as the answer denies the bill, two witnesses are required to give the complainant a right to the injunction. But if the attorney had made the promise which is averred by the complainant, such a As an promise would not bind the bank. attorney he had no such right, and no evidence is given that the bank gave the authority. (Beecher's case, 8 Coke, 116.) If the bank had made a promise which at the moment the judg ment was entered avoided it, such promise would be nugatory, as being without consider ation. A judgment imports an absolute and unconditional obligation to pay, and the evidence of this obligation is of the highest character-that of a record; but in this case it is to A conbe invalidated by a parol agreement. So a dition at war with a grant is void. condition at war with a judgment of record would be void. The judgment was obtained in 1817, long before any decision relative to protests on the fourth day. The bill was filed in 1819, two years after the question was made. The com- not on Nor is the denial of the bank a denial of facts The bill to have been done by which they could have known. charges the acts the attorney. (Maryland Rep., 283; 9 Cranch, 153.) The facts of the case present merits which fully entitle it to the relief of a court of equity. The agent of the bank agreed to take the judg ment on the condition that the debt should be collected from Merrill, who had property. It was positively stipulated that execution should issue immediately against that property; and the question is presented whether the attorney could make such an agreement. The bank acts only by its attorney. Wiley was the regular attorney of the bank, and is proved to have acted for them. The act done by him was within his powers in this relation to the bank. (Cited, 3 Taunt., 486; 1 Esp. Cases, 178; Sayer, 259; 1 Dall.. 164; 1 Lord Raym., 241; 13 Johns., 174; 17 Johns., 324.) But if there had been no ground of defense to the suit, the case is not varied. There was a meritorious consideration for the agreement, and it was binding on the bank. (Cited, 1 Ves., 408; 4 Ves., 848; 2 Johns. Ch. Cases, 51, 60; 2 Vern., 423.) Mr. Justice THOMPSON delivered the opinion of the court: The appellee, who was the complainant in the court below and administratrix of her late husband, filed her bill in the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, and for the County *of Washington, for the purpose of ob- [*108 taining an injunction to restrain the Union Bank of Georgetown from all further proceedings on a judgment recovered against her as administratrix upon a promissory note for two thousand two hundred dollars, bearing date the 21st of November, 1814, which had been in 63 dorsed by her late husband, and discounted by the Union Bank for the accommodation of Jeremiah Merrill, the maker. The judgment was entered in December, 1817. The bill states that suits were instituted in the Circuit Court upon the note against the drawer and indorser, and that the complainant was called upon by the attorney of the bank, and requested to confess a judgment on the note, and was at the time assured by the attorney, if she did so, and did not dispute her liability upon the note, the bank would im mediately proceed by execution to make the amount thereof from Merrill, the principal debtor, who, he assured her, had sufficient property to satisfy the same; and advising her that she would be thus saved from liability for the debt, prevailed on her to make no defense against the suit at law, but voluntarily to confess a judgment thereon. The bill charges that at the time of confessing the judgment a valid legal defense existed against said suit, which would have defeated the plaintiff's right to recover on the indorse ment; the plaintiff not having made the due and legal demand, and given due and legal notice, so as to bind the indorser. That the attorney of the bank well knew the same, and to prevent the complainant from contesting the same, made the proposition above stated. The bill further charges that when the judgments were obtained upon the note Merrill resided in Georgetown, and had sufficient property to satisfy and pay the judgments, and that the same might then, and for some time afterwards, have been recovered by process of execution, issued either against the body or the goods of Merrill. And that the complainant repeatedly and earnestly called upon and urged the plaintiffs to issue execution against Merrill according to the agreement and understanding upon which she had confessed judgment; but that the plaintiffs continued to indulge Merrill, and perinitted him to leave the district and take with him all his property, beyond the process of the court; nor have they taken any effectual and 109*1*proper means to recover the debt from Merrill, as bound by their agreement to do. The complainant further states that she is informed and believes that Merrill is in insolvent circumstances, and that now the bank, having by their misconduct and breach of faith lost the means of recovering the judgment from Merrill, unjustly and unreasonably demand payment of the complainant, and threaten to proceed against her on the judgment, which she believes they mean to do. justly liable and bound for the payment of the note. They deny that the complainant had any valid legal defense to the action, but aver that payment of the note was legally demanded, and that due notice of nonpayment was given. They deny that when the judgment was ob tained, or at any time afterwards, Merrill had sufficient property unincumbered, whereon any execution could have been levied, and the money made. They deny that they have been remiss and inattentive in obtaining payment from Merrill. These are the only parts of the bill and answer which it is deemed material to notice. Depositions having been taken, the cause was set down for a final hearing, upon the pleadings, exhibits and depositions, and the court decreed a perpetual injunction. From which decree an appeal was taken to this court. The first inquiry that seems naturally to arise in this case is, whether the agreement or contract set up in the bill to have been made between Wiley, the attorney of the bank, and the complainant in the court below, has been established *by sufficient evidence, ac- [*110 cording to the rules and principles which prevail in courts of equity. It is denied by the answer that such agreement was made. The agreement is certainly very fully proved by one witness. G. Cloud states in his deposition that he well recollects the conversation between Mrs. Geary and Mr. Wiley, the attorney of the bank, on the subject of her confessing the judgment, and understood, from the conversation of both of them, that if she would agree and confess judgment, she was to be cleared, and the money to be made out of Merrill's property; as Wiley said he had ascertained that Merrill had property sufficient to satisfy the debt that was clear of incumbrance; and that it was expressly on these conditions that she confessed judgment. This witness, in his answer to another interrogatory, states that Mrs. Geary was to be cleared (as he expresses it) by instantly levying on Merrill's property. From which it is clearly to be inferred that it was not intended that she should be absolutely released from the judgment, but that her discharge would result from the satisfaction to be obtained from Merrill, of which, from the assurances of Wiley, little or no doubt could be entertained. Some criticisms have been made at the bar upon the deposition of this witness. It has been supposed by the appellant's counsel that he speaks only of one conversation, and that after the judgment was entered. The inference that there was but one conversation is drawn from the printed statement of this deposition, where the witness is stated to have sworn that all the knowledge he had of the judgment was from a conversation between Mrs. Geary, Mr. Wiley and others. But in the deposition, as contained in the record, his knowledge is stated to have been derived from the conversation he heard They deny that they ever authorized or between those persons. And he afterwards directed their attorney to hold out any induce- speaks of a multiplicity of conversations he ments to complainant to confess the judgment, heard on the subject between the years 1815 or to make any such persuasions and promises and 1820, and evidently referring to periods as are set forth in the bill; that they would | both before and after the entry of the judgment. have been wholly superfluous and unnec-The agreement having been fully and satisfacessary, as the complainant was legally and torily established by this witness, the question The defendants, in the court below, in their answer, deny the agreement alleged to have been made by their attorney; and aver that the judgment was not confessed voluntarily, but contested in every stage until the trial term, and when the cause was actually called for trial, the complainant's attorney know ing he had no good defense, confessed the judg ment. arises whether there are any circumstances or other testimony disclosed in the case to sustain the bill against the denial in the answer. It is certainly a well-settled rule that on a 111*] bill praying relief, *when the facts charged in the bill as the grounds for obtain ing the decree are clearly and positively denied by the answer and proved only by a single witness, the court will not decree against the defendant. And it is equally well settled that where the witness on the part of the complainant is supported and corroborated by circumstances sufficient to outweigh the denial in the answer, the rule does not apply. (9 Cranch, 160; 3 Cond. Rep., 325.) was authorized and requested by the bank, or some of its officers, to adjust all such cases, and get judgments confessed by the parties; so as to avoid defenses being made by the indorsers, with respect to the insufficiency of the demand and notice. And that Wiley requested him to call on the complainant with a view to make such adjustment, and that he advised her to see Mr. Wiley, who was friendly to her, and would not advise her to do anything against her interest. All these circumstances are abundantly sufficient to corroborate the testimony of Čloud, and outweigh the answer even if it had been sworn to. The agreement, therefore, alleged What are the circumstances in this case to in the bill to have been made by Wiley, the atmeet and outweigh the denial in the answer? torney of the bank, must be considered as fully It is to be borne in mind that the bill does not established. And the next inquiry is, whethcharge the agreement to have been made wither the attorney had authority to make such the bank, but with their attorney. The denial by the bank is not therefore of any matter charged to have been within their own knowledge. They could therefore only speak of their belief, or from information received from their attorney, and not from their own knowledge of the transaction. The denial of their ever having authorized or directed their attorney to hold out any inducements to the complainant to confess judgment or to make to her any such promise as is set forth in the bill, is not in answer to any alle gation in the bill. The bank is not charged with having specially authorized or directed the agreement to be made. But it is charged as the act of their attorney; and whether this was within the scope of his authority as attorney in the suit, will be hereafter noticed. agreement so as to bind the bank. It is necessary here that it should be understood with precision what this agreement was. It seems to have been considered at the bar, by the appellants' counsel, as an agreement to release and discharge the complainant from all responsibility if she would confess judgment upon the note. But such is not the agreement set up in the bill. It is that if the complainant would confess judgment, and not dispute her liability upon the note, he (the attorney) would immediately proceed, by execution, to make the amount thereof from Merrill, the principal debtor, who, he assured the complainant, had sufficient property to satisfy the same; upon the faith of which promise she did confess judgment. *It is not alleged or pretended that [*113 There are other circumstances which go very any special authority was given by the bank far to take this case out of the application of to their attorney to make the agreement set up the rule which requires corroborating evidence in the bill, and unless it fell within the scope to support the testimony of a single witness of his general authority as attorney in the suit against the answer. This is an injunction bill, the bank cannot be held responsible. The genfiled upon the oath of the complainant. An eral authority of the attorney does not cease answer in all cases according to the course and with the entry of the judgment. He has at least practice of courts of chancery, must be sworn a right to issue an execution, although he may to; unless dispensed with by order of the court not have the right to discharge such execution under special circumstances. In the present without receiving satisfaction. (8 Johns., 366; case, the answer being by a corporation, it is 10 Johns., 220.) His suit does not terminate put in under their common seal, unaccompa- with the judgment. Proceedings on the exenied by an oath. And although the reason cution are proceedings in the suit. It was of the rule which requires two witnesses or cir- therefore within the scope of the general aucumstances to corroborate the testimony of one thority of the attorney in the suits to postpone to outweigh the answer, may be founded in a the execution on the judgment against the ingreat measure upon the consideration that the dorser, and issue one on the judgment against complainant makes the answer evidence by the maker of the note; and this is the utmost 112] calling for it, yet this is in reference extent of the alleged agreement. And, indeed, to the ordinary practice of the court, requiring it does not go thus far. The attorney only the answer to be on oath. But the weight of stipulated to issue an execution immediately such answer is very much lessened, if not en- upon the judgment against Merrill. And if he tirely destroyed as matter of evidence, when had authority to issue an execution, of which unaccompanied by an oath: and indeed we are there can be no doubt, he had authority to eninclined to adopt it as a general rule, that an ter into an agreement that such execution should answer not under oath is to be considered be issued, and thereby to bind the bank to the merely as a denial of the allegations in the bill, performance thereof. And that the bank has analogous to the general issue at law, so as to violated this agreement by refusing to have an put the complainant to the proof of such alle execution issued against Merrill is abundantly gations. But it is not necessary, in the pres- proved. Repeated and urgent applications ent case, to go thus far; for independent of all were made to them for that purpose, without these circumstances the testimony of Cloud is effect; and the attorney, on application to him, strongly corroborated by that of Magruder. He admitted that he had agreed to issue an execuswears that Wiley was the attorney and coun- tion immediately after obtaining the judgment, sel for the bank when the judgment was con- and have it levied on Merrill's property; but fessed. That he understood from him that he said the fault was not in him, but in the direct |