ART. 13] ACCEPTANCE OF BILLS. 47

149. Where in a bill drawer and drawee are the same person,
or where the drawee is a fictitious person, or a person not
having capacity to contract, the holder may treat the instrument,
at his option, either as a bill of exchange or a promissory note.

150. The drawer of a bill and any indorser may insert thereon
the name of a person to whom the holder may resort in case of
need—that is to say, in case the bill is dishonored by non accept-
ance or non-payment. Such person is called the "referee in case
of need. " It is in the option of the holder to resort to the "ref-
eree in case of need" or not, as he may see fit.

CHAPTER XI—Acceptance of Bills of Exchange.

151. The acceptance of a bill is the signification by the
drawee of his assent to the order of the drawer. The acceptance
must be in writing and signed by the drawee. It must not
express that the drawee will perform his promise by any other
means than the payment of money.

152. The holder of a bill presenting the same for acceptance
may require that the acceptance be written on the bill, and if
such request is refused, may treat the bill as dishonored.

153. Where an acceptance is written on a paper other than
the bill itself, it does not bind the acceptor, except in favor of a
person to whom it is shown, and who, on the faith thereof,
receives the bill for value.

154. An unconditional promise in writing to accept a bill
before it is drawn is deemed an actual acceptance in favor of
every person who, upon the faith thereof, receives the bill for
value.

155. The drawee is allowed twenty-four hours after present-
ment in which to decide whether or not he will accept the bill;
but the acceptance, if given, dates as of the day of presentation.

156. Where a drawee to whom a bill is delivered for accept-
ance destroys the same, or refuses within twenty-four hours after
such delivery, or within such other period as the holder may