DISCHARGE OF A CONTRACT. The act of making a contract or agreement null.
2. Contracts may be discharged by, 1. Payment. 2. Accord and
satisfaction. 8 Com. Dig. 917; 1 Nels. Abr. 18; 1 Lilly's Reg. 10, 16;
Hall's Dig. 7 1 Poth. Ob. 345. 3. Release. 8 Com. Dig. 906; 3 Nels. Ab. 69;
18 Vin. Ab. 294; 1 Vin. Abr. 192; 2 Saund. 48, a; Gow. on Partn. 225, 230;
15 Serg. & Rawle, 441; 1 Poth Ob. 897. 4. Set off. 8 Vin. Ab. 556, Discount;
Hall's Dig. 226, 496; 7 Com. Dig. 335, Pleader, 2 G 17; 1 Poth. Ob. 408. 5.
The rescission of the contracts. 1 Com. Dig. 289, note x; 8 Com. Dig. 349;
Chit. on Contr. 276. 6. Extinguishment. 7 Vin: Abr. 367; 14 Serg. & Rawle,
209, 290; 8 Com. Dig. 394; 2 Nels. Abr. 818; 18 Vin. Abr. 493 to 515; 11
Vin. Abr. 461. 7. Confusion, where the duty to pay and the right to receive
unite in the same person. 8 Serg. & Rawle, 24-30 1 Poth. 425. 8. Extinction,
or the loss of the subject matter of the contract. Bac. Abr. 48 8 Com. Dig.
*349; 1 Poth. Ob. 429. 9. Defeasance. 2 Saund. 47, n. note 1. 10. The
inability of one of the parties to fulfill his part. Hall's Dig. 40. 11. The
death of the contractor, as where he undertook to teach an apprentice. 12.
Bankruptcy. 13. By the act of limitations. 14. By lapse of time. Angell on
Adv. Enjoym. passim; 15 Vin. Abr. 52, 99; 2 Saund. 63, n. b; Id. 66, n. 8;
Id. 67, n. 10; Gow on Partn. 235; 1, Poth. 443, 449. 15. By neglecting to
give notice to the, person charged. Chit. on Bills, 245. 16. By releasing
one of two partners. See Receipt. 17. By neglecting to sue the principal at
the request of the surety, the latter is discharged. 8 Serg. & Rawle, 110.
18. By the discharge of a defendant, who has been arrested under a capias ad
satisfaciendum. 8 Cowen, R. 171. 19. By a certificate and discharge under
the bankrupt laws. Act of Congress of August, 1841.