discharge of a contract

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.