McCormick v. Gibson , 3 G. & J. 12 ( 1830 )

The opinion of the Court was delivered by Dobsey, J.

The only question which we are called on to consider is, was the complainant rightfully turned out of the Court of Chancery, on the ground that the plea of limitations by James Tilton, one of the defendants, is as effectual a bar to any relief “as if it had been made by them all.” To sustain this broad and genera! principle, thus assumed by the Chancellor, as the basis of his decree, but two cases have been cited; viz. Clason vs. Morris, 10 John. 524, and Lingan vs. English, decided by this court at June term, 1830. Before this tribunal, Clason vs. Morris, (as far as the present question is concerned,) if an authority at all, can only be regarded as one of the lightest character. It was decided in the Court of Errors of New York, but partially composed of lawyers, by ten senators concurring in opinion with one judge of the Supreme Court, and five senators dissenting from that opinion ; among the dissentient judges, we find (Chancellor, then Chief Justice,) Kent, Thompson and Van Ness, and with them senator Platt, subsequently a distinguished member of that court. When we contemplate the overwhelming preponderance in the number of judges of the Supreme Court, and perhaps of the legal talents of the Court of Errors, which dissented from the principle asserted in Clason vs. Morris, ought it not rather to be regarded as a case denying, than establishing the doctrine contended for. Justice Spencer, whose views were adopted by a majority of the senators, admits that he had met with no cases in equity to sustain his position; and he rests it wholly upon an unwarrantable analogy, between proceedings at law and in equity. “For, (says he) it is a well settled principle of law, that in actions upon contract, the plea of one defendant enures to the benefit of all, for the contract being entire, the plaintiff must succeed upon it against all or none: and therefore, if the plaintiff fails at the trial upon the plea of one defendant, he cannot have judgment against those who let judgment go by default.” But does such rigid formality exist in Courts of Chancery, or is it at all consistent with the principles and practice by which those tribunals are regulated ? Must the complainants succeed against all or none ? Every day’s experience gives the negative to these inquiries. A decree may give joint relief to both complainants, or separate and distinct relief to each. As to one, the bill may be dismissed; whilst full relief is granted to the other. The same principle applies to defendants. Joint relief may be granted against both; a separate and distinct relief against each. The bill may be dismissed as against one defendant, and full relief obtained against the other. At law the same redress is given, the same judgment is entered against all. But this is the offspring of mere legal technicality, and bears no application to proceedings in a Court of Chancery; which disregarding matters of form, modifies its remedies to every variety of circumstances, and reaching the substance of the case, gives relief according to the several equities of the respective parties.

If by analogy to the course of proceeding at common law, we are to adopt the doctrine, that a bar sustained by one defendant, operates to prevent a recovery against the rest, justice surely demands that the analogy should be carried out; and that in equity as at law, an acknowledgment by one defendant should restore the remedy against all. In that event, the answer of Fayette Gibson in this case, would entitle the complainant to a decree against Tilton, as well as the other parties defendants. If in the case in New York, where the defence went to the whole merits of the claim, it was a matter for discordant opinions amongst eminent jurists; is there room for a doubt on the subject before us, when the defence relied on is a mere statutory bar, intended only for the protection of those who seek shelter under its wings. Upon what grounds was the plea of limitations created a bar? Upon the presumption that the party had paid and lost, or was unable to produce the evidence of his payment. Jacob Gibson died in less than three months after the execution of the note on which the complainant’s claim is founded: and that note is made payable five months after its date. Tilton’s plea then cannot rest on the presumption that the whole note was paid by the testator, because he died before it became due; nor on the presumption that it was paid by Tilton,, because he was under no legal obligation to do so. All that he could have been required to pay, and therefore can be presumed to have paid, was that proportion of the debt which the value of the real estate given to his wife, bore to the value of the whole real estate devised. This is the greatest latitude that could be given to the operation of this plea of limitations. But it cannot be available even to that extent. He has pleaded for himself only; against his wife a decree pro confesso has been suffered to pass; so that nothing is saved by the plea but his life estate; the rever-r sionary interest of the wife remaining liable to the claim of the complainant. Regarding the plea in this limited and almost immaterial aspect, can it be received as a bar to all redress against any of the defendants; some of whom have in answering, admitted every material allegation in the bill, and consented -to a decree, giving the relief which has been prayed -for ? The interests of the defendants here are several and distinct, and not joint; the claim -against each being in proportion to the amount devised to him. There is no; joint- contract to be enforced; no unity of interest in the- -property to be affected-. If such a general rule of equity, as that stated by the Chancellor does exist, (which we cannot admit,) it should not be applied to a case like the present;

- The decree. under- consideration can -derive no support from the case of Lingan, et al. vs. English, et ux. decided by this court at June term, 1830. The question here agitated was not presented by- the facts in that cause. The complainants -filed-their bill-, stating that James M. Lingan, their father, conveyed by deed to John Henderson, a parcel of land ; that Henderson executed and delivered a paper to Lingan, by which he acknowledged to have received of Lingan, “ a deed for 420 acres of land lying in Montgomery county, which is to be accounted for by him ; that the complainants were advised that said paper was an acknowledgment that no money was paid for said land; and that it was an engagement to pay the purchase, if there was in truth any sale to Henderson; or if not, to reconvey said land to him, Lingan.” That John Henderson had since died intestate, leaving three of the defendants his heirs at law, and Lydia, (who had since intermarried with David English,) his widow, who administered on his estate, and “ possessed herself of the personal assets of the estate sufficient to pay all just debts against it.” The bill then prayed, “ that by a decree of this honorable court, the administratrix of said Henderson may be compelled to pay the amount of the purchase money for the land aforesaid; or if the sale should not be admitted or proved, that the heirs of the said Henderson may be compelled to reconvey to such of your complainants as are entitled thereto, the said land,” and for general relief. English and wife filed their answer, neither denying nor admitting assets. Thé bill was taken pro confesso as to the other defendants, except Richard, who pleaded the act of the General Assembly, entitled “an act for limitation of certain actions for avoiding suits at law.” Upon these proceedings and the proof taken in support of them, the Chancellor decreed á sale of the land for the payment of the purchase money. The bill presented, no case warranting relief, but by a decree for the reconveyance of the land by the heirs of Henderson; or payment of the purchase money by the administratrix. To neither of which remedies did the complainants shew themselves entitled upon the proof. The Court of Appeals therefore, could not have done otherwise than as they did, reverse the decree and dismiss the bill. It was not necessary to inquire into the applicability of the plea of limitations to the case presented by the bill, or into its effect and operation as pleaded.

DECREE REVERSED.