Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States

BEACH v. LEE, 2 U.S. 257 (1796)

BEACH versus LEE., 2 U.S. (2 Dall.) 257 (1796)

Type
Opinion
Court
Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction
Federal
Date
1796-01-01
Topic
general

BEACH v. LEE, 2 U.S. 257 (1796) BEACH versus LEE. SEPTEMBER TERM, 1796. THIS was an action on the case, brought against the defendant, under the following circumstances, which were established by evidence on the trial. The defendant's wife, previous to her marriage, had executed a bond to the plaintiff; which, at the time of her death, remained unsatisfied.

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BEACH v. LEE,2 U.S. 257(1796)
BEACHversusLEE.
SEPTEMBER TERM, 1796.
THIS was an action on the case, brought against the defendant, under the following circumstances, which were established by evidence on the trial. The defendant's wife, previous to her marriage, had executed a bond to the plaintiff; which, at the time of her death, remained unsatisfied. It appeared, however, that, in consequence of the marriage, the defendant had become possessed of, and still enjoyed, a considerable property, belonging to his wife, more than equal to the amount of the bond; that, during her life time, he had assumed to pay the bond, and had actually made several partial payments on account of it; and that he had promised to pay the remainder, even subsequent to her decease.

The action was founded on the expressassumpsit;and though it was conceded by the plaintiff's counsel, that the defendant was not liable, since the death of his wife, on the bond itself; yet, he insisted, that the bond was good evidence to prove the existence of the debt, to which the specialassumpsitapplied. See 1Roll. Abr. 351.pl. 35.Bro. Abr. tit. "Debt" pl. 180. 1Lev. 25.Cowp. 290.Bull. N.P. 281.

But, upon the facts proved, it was agreed by the counsel for the defendant, and sanctioned BY THE COURT, that the plaintiff was entitled to recover; though it was not admitted, that, without proof of the specialassumpsit, the defendant would have been liable for the debt.

The cause was, accordingly, left to the Jury, merely to ascertain how much was the balance due on the bond.
M. Levyfor the plaintiff.Lewisfor the defendant.