Thompson v. Thompson , 58 Mass. 127 ( 1849 )

Shaw, C. J.

This case presents a question, which, though it has been often alluded to, we believe has not been directly decided, namely, whether, after the dissolution of a partnership agreed on and published, one partner can by his own petition commence proceedings under the insolvent laws, so as not only to affect his own property and the property of the firm, but also the separate property of his late partners.

In the opinion of the court, by the true construction of the statute, (St. 1838, c. 163, § 21,) each partner has that power. It is true, that after a dissolution, neither of the partners can bind the firm, by any new contract; the power given by each to the other, for this purpose, being revoked by a dissolution. But for the purpose of adjusting and liquidating concerns already existing, the collection of debts, disposal of property, payment of partnership debts and the like, the relation of partners continues. They are the owners of the partnership property, and joint debtors and joint creditors, in the same manner as before the dissolution. The insolvent law, in all its operations, regards such past joint concerns only; and all the reasons which relate to the application of these provisions to the case of partners, before dissolution, apply with equal force to their relations after dissolution; the purpose in both cases being to make payment of partnership debts from part nership assets, if sufficient, otherwise to make an equal dis tribution of the assets amongst the creditors. And the provisions of the statute appear to us to be adapted to such a case. The statute requires that the messenger shall take possession not only of the joint property, but also of the separate property.

If it be objected, that it is contrary to the principles of co-partnership, to enable a partner to charge the separate property of his copartner, we think it is a sufficient answer to say, that the proceeding in question only brings within the operation of the law those funds which are by law liable for the payment of partnership debts. Each partner is by law liable for the payment of the whole debts; and if the joint property is insufficient, such débts are a charge upon the separate property of each partner. By the statute, therefore, in order to effect a final and complete settlement of the partnership affairs, which both the partners and their creditors have an interest in effecting, and which it is the obvious policy of the insolvent law to accomplish, the separate property of each partner must be brought within the reach of the law. But the statute itself takes care that this shall ultimately work no injustice, by directing the assignee to keep separate accounts, and by first applying partnership property to pay partnership debts, and separate property to pay separate debts. The result of this system is, that if the separate property of either partner is more than sufficient to pay his separate debts, the balance shall go, as it ought, to pay his partnership debts. And so, on the other hand, if the partnership effects are more than sufficient to pay the joint debts in full, each partner’s share in such partnership effects shall go, as it ought, to the discharge of his private debts. This results from that general principle of law, that as between partners and their creditors, each partner is liable to pay the whole of the partnership debts, without regard to their relative interests as between themselves; and, also, that the whole of each individual debtor’s interest in property, whether it consist in separate property, or in his share of the stock of a partnership, is liable for the payment of his separate debts.

It sometimes happens, that a man of ample means enters into copartnership with a young man without property, or of small means, and after transacting business some time, they dissolve and give notice of such dissolution. The partnership, as such, may be embarrassed, perhaps insolvent, while the wealthy partner is amply able to pay all its debts. and have a large property beyond. If it be supposed a hard* ship, that the insolvent partner should have it in his power, by his separate act, to place the whole of the real and personal property of his former partner under sequestration, it appears to us that a satisfactory answer is found in the principles above stated. Such former partner is by law bound to the payment of the partnership debts immediately, as well out of his separate property, as out of partnership property. The partnership creditors are not bound to await the slow and uncertain liquidation of the partnership affairs, the collection of debts, the getting in of property, and the process of winding up an embarrassed concern. The solvent partner may relieve himself from the trouble of such sequestration, simply by doing his duty, paying these debts, and looking to the partnership funds for his indemnity. And whether the funds are sufficient to indemnify him or not, is not the concern of the creditor; the loss will ultimately fall, where it ought to fall, on the solvent partner.

If it be asked, at what time after a dissolution this power of one partner to petition in behalf of the partnership, and place the firm in insolvency, shall cease, it appears to us that the answer in each case must be found in the state of the partnership concerns. By the provision of the insolvent law before cited, § 21, a warrant may be issued in the manner provided in the act, either on the petition of such partners, or of any one of them. The partners, or one of them, shall apply “ in the same manner,” &c. By this we are referred to the first section of the act, which provides that any debtor, residing in this commonwealth, who shall desire, &c., may apply, &c., setting forth his inability to pay all his debts, his willingness to assign, &c., and praying that such proceedings may be had, &c. And if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the judge, that the debts due from such applicant amount to $500, (since reduced to $200,) he shall forthwith, by warrant under his hand and seal, appoint, &c. This indicates the course to be pursued, mutatis mutandis, when the application is made by partners, or by one of them in behalf of the partnership. The petition must show, that debts due from them, the partners, are not less than $200; and it must set forth their inability to pay them, their desire to obtain a discharge, and their willingness to assign. These are the facts, and this the case, in which alone the proceedings can be instituted; and so long as this state of things continues, there seems to be no good reason why a commission should not issue to reach their joint property, and also the property liable for the partnership debts, namely, the separate property of all the partners.

One ground, on which the petitioner prays that the proceedings may be suspended, deserves consideration, which is, that he had no notice of the application of his former partner, before the warrant issued. This is not a case where the statute has, in terms, required that notice shall be given. The statute provides, in terms, for the case of the voluntary application of the debtor, and of course there is no occasion for notice to him. The next case is the application of partners ; and if made by all of them, notice to them is of course equally unnecessary. The case of one partner applying in behalf of himself and partners, is put on the same ground, without special provision, probably because such is the mutual duty, interest and relations of partners, that the act of one may be deemed in effect the act of all. We think, therefore, that no tice not being provided for by the statute as a legal prelimi nary, is not a condition, the want of which will avoid the proceedings. But, at the same time, as the proceedings may deeply affect the rights of such partners, the court are of opinion, that it would be quite competent for the commissioner, in the just exercise of his powers, to give such notice before issuing his warrant against such partners, because they have a deep interest in being heard upon two questions of fact, on which the commissioner must pass, namely: 1. Whether the party so named in the applicant’s petition is a copartner; and, 2. Whether the firm is insolvent. If these facts do not appear, the case does not exist, upon which the commissioner is authorized by the statute to proceed. But when this is not done, the court are of opinion, that such a partner is a party aggrieved, who may, in a proper case, apply to this court, under the provisions of St. 1838, c. 163, § 18, to suspend and vacate the proceedings and have the property restored, upon showing that the partnership is not insolvent, and that there was no foundation in fact for the allegation of insolvency, on which the proceedings were instituted. By the term “ insolvency,” however, as used in these statutes, we do not understand an absolute inability to pay one’s debts at some future time, upon a settlement and wind ing up of all a trader’s concerns; but a trader may be said to be in insolvent circumstances, when he is not in a condition to pay his debts in the ordinary course, as persons carrying on trade usually do. Bayly v. Schofield, 1 M. & S. 338; Shone v. Lucas, 3 D. & R. 218.

If this demurrer is withdrawn, we think the proper course will be to. refer the case to a master, to inquire and report as to the truth of the facts or statements upon which these proceedings were commenced, and to reserve a final decision until such report shall be made.