{ "id": 2217650, "name": "NATIONAL BANK OF SUFFOLK v. A. R. WINSLOW", "name_abbreviation": "National Bank v. Winslow", "decision_date": "1927-03-30", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "470", "last_page": "474", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "193 N.C. 470" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "101 N. C., 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8650152 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/101/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 N. C., 405", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622680 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/192/0405-01" ] }, { "cite": "181 N. C., 241", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655756 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/181/0241-01" ] }, { "cite": "141 N. C., 6", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "123 N. C., 51", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8657169 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/123/0051-01" ] }, { "cite": "91 N. C., 399", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8693623 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/91/0399-01" ] }, { "cite": "12 N. C., 249", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8688367 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/12/0249-01" ] }, { "cite": "80 N. C., 219", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8689264 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/80/0219-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 N. C., 226", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655698 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/176/0226-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 N. C., 300", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11270606 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/161/0300-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 N. C., 431", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 N. C., 436", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655677 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/158/0436-01" ] }, { "cite": "125 N. C., 447", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11274183 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/125/0447-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 N. C., 116", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "143 N. C., 97", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656292 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/143/0097-01" ] }, { "cite": "142 N. C., 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 598, "char_count": 12465, "ocr_confidence": 0.463, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.149461785461926e-07, "percentile": 0.9562932047389635 }, "sha256": "105a37a635d796ac69ea8e5307f8064a6e8bcb2c0717c2c7c29e1d38bb48ab85", "simhash": "1:4d66f4f1ece65abb", "word_count": 2166 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:08:43.639996+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "NATIONAL BANK OF SUFFOLK v. A. R. WINSLOW." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Brogden, J.\nThree questions of law arise upon the evidence:\n1. In an action between the holder and the maker of a negotiable instrument, is parol evidence admissible to establish an agreement between the maker and the payee creating a particular mode of payment?\n2. If so, does an endorsee taking such note, with actual knowledge of the agreement, hold it subject to the maker\u2019s equities arising on said agreement ?\n3. What is the effect of the words \u201cwithout offset\u201d contained in the note in controversy ?\nThe reason for excluding parol evidence, tending to establish a collateral agreement, as a part of a negotiable instrument, is that such evidence would contradict or vary the written instrument. The law is firmly established that parol evidence is inadmissible to contradict or vary the terms of a negotiable instrument, but this rule does not apply \u2022to a parol agreement made contemporaneously with the writing providing a mode of payment. This rule rests upon the theory that a contract may consist of both written and unwritten terms, and if the unwritten portion does not actually vary or contradict the written portion, the whole contract will be received in evidence. The rule is thus stated in Evans v. Freeman, 142 N. C., 62 : \u201cThe competency of such evidence for the purpose of establishing the other and unwritten part of the contract, or even of showing a collateral agreement made contemporaneously with the execution of the writing, has been thoroughly settled by the decisions of this Court. Indeed, it seems to us that the very question we are now considering has been passed upon by this Court several times. Applying the rule we have laid down, it has been adjudged competent to show by oral evidence a collateral agreement as to how an instrument for the payment of money should in fact be paid, though the instrument is necessarily in writing and the promise it contains is to pay so many dollars.\u201d\nIn Brown on Parol Evidence, sec. 117, it is held that \u201cparol evidence is admissible to show an agreed mode of payment and discharge other than that specified in the bond.\u201d And in Typewriter Co. v. Hardware Co., 143 N. C., 97, it was held that when a promissory note is given, payable in money, parol evidence may be received tending to establish as a part of the contract a contemporaneous agreement that a different method of payment should be accepted. Carrington v. Waff, 112 N. C., 116; Quinn v. Sexton, 125 N. C., 447; Martin v. Mask, 158 N. C., 436; Mfg. Co. v. Mfg. Co., 161 N. C., 431; Pierce v. Cobb, 161 N. C., 300; Hunter v. Sherron, 176 N. C., 226.\nThe jury has found from competent evidence that the plaintiff had \u201cactual notice of said agreement at the time said note was endorsed to it by said Birdsong Storage Company.\u201d Therefore, the plaintiff held the note subject to the terms of the agreement and equities therein created. Kerchner v. McRae, 80 N. C., 219; Carrington v. Waff, 112 N. C., 116; Evans v. Freeman, 142 N. C., 62.\nThe note in controversy contained the language \u201cnegotiable and payable without offset at the National Bant of Suffolk.\u201d The plaintiff contends that the words \u201cwithout offset\u201d inserted in this instrument prevents the application of the rule declared in Evans v. Freeman, supra, for the reason that it amounted to a declaration by the maker, the defendant in. this action, that he would not plead a set-off or counterclaim to said note. It therefore becomes necessary to determine whether or not the defense interposed by the defendant is or constitutes an offset or a set-off as contemplated by law. Set-off has been defined to be \u201ca mode of defense whereby the defendant acknowledges the justice of the plaintiff\u2019s demand on the one hand, but on the other sets up a demand of his own to counter-balance it, either in whole or in paft. Technically speaking, a set-off is a counter-demand which the defendant holds against the plaintiff, arising out of a transaction extrinsic to the plaintiff\u2019s cause of action.\u201d Waterman on Set-off, Recoupment and Counter-claim, secs. 1 and 2.\nThe first case in our own State to define a set-off is McDowell v. Tate, 12 N. C., 249, and the definition is as follows: \u201cA set-off is a mutual independent claim, which still continues to exist as such, and one which the parties d.id not intend should be appropriated to the satisfaction of an existing demand, but that each should have mutual causes of action, and of course mutual actions, if they pleased, against each other.\u201d\nAgain, in Hurst v. Everett, 91 N. C., 399, a set-off is thus defined: \u201cA set-off, as originally provided by statute, was the right of a defendant when sued for a debt to counter-balance it, in whole or in part, by setting up as a defense a demand of his own against the plaintiff.\u201d\nAs defined and interpreted by the decisions, a set-off applies only to-mutual independent claims between the parties, and must arise out of a transaction extrinsic to the cause of action asserted by the plaintiff. It is not such a demand as can be made the subject of affirmative relief, and this constitutes the distinction between a counter-claim proper and a set-off. Electric Co. v. Williams, 123 N. C., 51; Smith v. French, 141 N. C., 6; Sewing Machine Co. v. Burger, 181 N. C., 241; Williams v. Williams, 192 N. C., 405.\nApplying the principles of law deduced from the authorities to the facts of this case, it would seem apparent that the collateral agreement relied upon by the defendant as a defense to the action cannot be deemed or considered an offset as defined by the courts. The defense, by a fair interpretation, partakes more of the nature of payment than of offset. \u201cA payment is, by consent of the parties, either express or implied, appropriated to the discharge of a debt.\u201d McDowell v. Tate, supra; Suggs v. Watson, 101 N. C., 188.\nThe jury has found that the agreement was made as alleged by the defendant; that the plaintiff had actual notice of the agreement, and that at the time the note in controversy was delivered to the plaintiff in accordance with the terms of the agreement that the Birdsong Storage Company had a sufficient amount of peanuts on hand belonging to the defendant to pay the note.\nWe therefore conclude that the case has been properly tried, and that the judgment as rendered should be affirmed.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Brogden, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Elvringhaus & Hall for plaintiff.", "McMullan & Leroy for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "NATIONAL BANK OF SUFFOLK v. A. R. WINSLOW.\n(Filed 30 March, 1927.)\n1. Negotiable .Instruments \u2014 Contracts, Written \u2014 Evidence \u2014 Parol Evidence \u2014 Notice\u2014Equities.\nA bank discounting a note with notice that the payee has on hand merchandise of the maker which was to be sold for the payment of the note, takes the note subject to this particular mode of payment, and parol evidence of this agreement in the holder\u2019s action thereon against the maker is not contrary to the rule of evidence, that a written instrument may not be varied, altered or contradicted by parol.\n2. Same \u2014 Knowledge.\nThe holder of a negotiable instrument by endorsement, with knowledge of the maker\u2019s equities against the payee, as to the particular method of payment, and who has thus purchased the paper, takes subject to the equities existing between the original parties.\n3. Same \u2014 \u201cSet-Off.\u201d\nWhere the holder of a negotiable instrument given by the maker containing the words \u201cwithout off-set,\u201d takes with knowledge that it is to be paid out of the proceeds of sale of the maker\u2019s property in the hands of the payee, and thus subject to the equities of the maker, the words \u201cwithout off-set\u201d taken in their proper significance, does not relieve the holder of his obligation to recognize the equities of the maker as to the particular manner in which the instrument should be paid.\nCivil action,'tried before Grady, J., at August Special Term, 1926, of Perquimans.\nTbe evidence tended to sbow that the defendant was engaged in buying and raising peanuts in Perquimans County. In the fall of 1921 the defendant made an agreement with T. H. Birdsong, trading as Birdsong-Storage Company, that the defendant was to ship the said Birdsong peanuts raised and purchased by him, and the said Birdsong was to handle said peanuts on a commission basis. It was further agreed that as the defendant should ship peanuts to Birdsong, he would draw drafts on Birdsong, of the Birdsong Storage Company, for sixty-five or seventy-five per cent of the cost of the peanuts so shipped and delivered. Prior to 16 November, 1921, the defendant drew a draft for $8,000 on Birdsong, which he deposited in a bank at Hertford, and this draft came into the possession of the plaintiff. There was delay in paying the draft, and the defendant went to Suffolk to see Birdsong, and Birdsong and the defendant went to the plaintiff bank to make inquiry about said draft. At that time Birdsong was an inactive vice-president of plaintiff bank. The defendant and Birdsong went into the plaintiff bank and Mr. Woolford, cashier, stated to them that the plaintiff had the draft, and Birdsong requested the cashier to pay the draft, but was informed by the cashier, \u201cI cannot pay that draft that way. If I pay that draft, I must charge it to somebody, or must have some consideration for it.\u201d Thereupon Birdsong suggested to tbe defendant that tbe defendant give a note for $8,000, tbe amount of tbe draft, payable to tbe Birdsong Storage Company. At tbe time of this conversation, tbe casbier of tbe plaintiff was sitting at bis desk eight or ten feet from where this conversation took place. Tbe defendant executed tbe note, and Birdsong duly endorsed it and banded it to tbe cashier, stating: \u201cI am going to pay it right away out of my own money or out of Mr. Winslow\u2019s peanuts.\u201d Mr. Woolford said, \u201cMr. Birdsong, that is all right. I don\u2019t know Mr. Winslow, I don\u2019t know whether be is responsible or not, and I shall look to you for tbe money.\u201d Plaintiff said: \u201cYou gentlemen don\u2019t have to have my word for my responsibility \u2014 Mr. Birdsong has my responsibility with him.\u201d Birdsong told Woolford: \u201cI am the man to pay it. I have Mr. Winslow\u2019s peanuts, plenty to pay it two or three times over.\u201d That be would either pay tbe note himself or sell these two thousand bags right then, in a few days. He told Mr. Woolford that he and I had, agreed that the note should he paid out of the peanuts. He said be would sell tbe peas and pay it himself.\u201d Tbe defendant was a stranger to tbe officials of tbe bank.\nTbe evidence tended to show further that tbe defendant bad shipped to Birdsong about twenty cars of peanuts, which, at tbe market, price, would have paid off and discharged all of defendant\u2019s indebtedness and left a large sum in excess thereof. Upon delivery of tbe note so made by tbe defendant and endorsed by said Birdsong, tbe plaintiff bank paid tbe $8,000 draft. Tbe note was in words and figures as follows: \u201c$8,000.00. Suffolk, Ya., 16 November, 1921. On demand........days after date, I promise to pay to Birdsong Storage Company, or order, negotiable and payable without offset at tbe National Bank of Suffolk, Suffolk, Ya., eight thousand and'no/100 dollars, for value received, with ten per cent, for cost of collection; and it is agreed upon by tbe parties that tbe interest on this note shall be payable in advance, and we, principal and endorsers, hereby waive tbe benefit of our homestead exemption as to this debt. (Signed) A. R. Winslow, Winfall, N. C.\u201d\nBirdsong paid tbe interest on tbe note and $2,000 on tbe principal, but upon failure to pay tbe balance, the plaintiff instituted this action against tbe defendant, Birdsong not being a party to tbe suit.\nTbe issues and tbe answers of tbe jury thereto were as follows:\n1. At tbe time of tbe execution of tbe $8,000 note, was it understood and agreed between A. R. Winslow and tbe Birdsong Storage Company that said note was to be paid from the sale of peanuts then in the possession of said Birdsong Storage Company, belonging to A. R. Winslow? Answer: Yes.\n2. If so, did the National Bank of Suffolk have actual notice of said agreement at the time said note was endorsed to it by said Birdsong Storage Company? Answer: Yes.\n3. Did the defendant Winslow have with the said Birdsong Storage Company a sufficient amount of peanuts to pay said note? Answer: Yes.\n4. In what amount, if anything, is the defendant indebted to the plaintiff on account of said note? Answer: Nothing.\nJudgment was entered upon the verdict in favor of defendant, and the plaintiff appealed.\nElvringhaus & Hall for plaintiff.\nMcMullan & Leroy for defendant." }, "file_name": "0470-01", "first_page_order": 548, "last_page_order": 552 }