Andrew Ellicott vs. The United States Insurance Company, 8 G. & J. 166

Dobsey, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court. We cannot concur with the county court in sustaining the demurrer to the first count in the declaration. The instrument of writing or policy declared on, was as much the representative of money as exchequer bills, bank notes, bills of exchange, or promissory notes, payable to bearer, or endorsed in blank and as such passed by delivery.

The possession of it is prima facie evidence of title, and when sued on by the holder it need not be averred, that the defendant made the policy with the plaintiff; or with whom it was made; or by whom the securities were deposited, and premium paid ; or that the plaintiff was the bearer at the time it was made ; or when he became such bearer; or that he was the bearer thereof on the day it fell due and presented it for payment at the office of the defendant. 6 Eng. Com. Law Rep. 323. Wookey vs. Pole and others. 11 Eng. Com. Law Rep. 16. Georgier vs. Mieville and others. 16 Eng. Com. Law Rep. 217. Same vs.

Same, and 1 Gill and John. 175. Bowie, use of Ladd, et al vs. Duvall. The sixth

section of the act of 1831, ch. 191, (by) which The United Slates Insurance Company was incorporated, enacts “ that the president and directors shall have full power and authority, to make insurances against all loss and damage from fire, flood, or other casualty, and against all loss or damage, from any cause, hazard, or liability whatsoever on, and relating to factories, mills, bridges, and other works and buildings, and on goods, wares, merchandize, choses in action, and personal property of every description ; and generally, to make, execute and perfect all such contracts, agreements and other instruments, as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this law.” Under the broad and comprehensive powers thus given, we think the appellee was competent to execute such a policy as is the basis of this action ; and that in many cases, strong and satisfactory reasons exist, why it should assume this, and no other form.

As for example, a merchant holds a trader’s promissory note, of whose ability to meet his engagements he entertains some doubt. To secure himself against such casualty or hazard, he applies to The United States Insurance Company for their guaranty, and pays the required premium. The form of the instrument, the mode in which the guaranty is to be effected under the act of Assembly, is entirely dependent on the will of the parties ; the law adopts it as they shall design to have made it.

They might it is true, have put their contracts as nearly as the subject matter would permit in the form of a marine policy, or insurance against fire, but they were under no legal obligation to do so, and certainly, no motive of interest or expediency could have prompted them to such a course of proceeding. It is the interest and policy of merchants to keep their capital or its representative in such a condition as to be at all times convertible into money with as great facility as practicable, and to avoid every thing that might tend to shake or impair the commercial credit of each other.

Had a formal policy with the note attached to it been executed, specifying the premium paid, &c. and the insured had after-wards thrown it into the market for conversion into money, its natural tendency would have been to impair the commercial credit of the maker of the note, and consequently lessen the probability of its being paid by him at maturity. The insurer therefore under such an arrangement would naturally demand a higher premium for insurance. The insured it must be presumed, would not have applied •for a guaranty from any source, but one, in which both he and the public reposed entire confidence.

He could therefore feel no hesitation in surrendering the note to the company, by whom the risk was assumed, and in doing so he would put it in the power of the insurer upon any emergency rendering it expedient, to guard against loss by passing off the note, or making any arrangements to .secure its payment which circumstances might make advisable. The necessary result of such a negotiation, would be a reduction of the premium demanded by the underwriter.

In such a transaction then, it is manifestly the interest of both insurers and insured, to give to their contract the shape it has assumed in the case before us. jr Dissenting from the opinion of the county court we reverse their judgment. JUDGMENT REVERSED WITH PROCEDENDO.