This section is from the book "The Law Of Contracts", by William Herbert Page. Also available from Amazon: Commercial Contracts: A Practical Guide to Deals, Contracts, Agreements and Promises.
While the intention of the parties is paramount in determining the nature of the liability of two or more promisors, it is impossible, no matter how clear the intention of the parties, to impose a joint liability upon a sole promisor. A contract made with one person alone is necessarily a several contract, even if words which are appropriate to joint contracts, such as "we promise,"1 are employed.
 
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