Jewett v. Barnard , 6 Me. 381 ( 1830 )

Parris J.

delivered the opinion of the Court at the adjournment in Jlugust following.

The whole question in this case as to the liability of French and Harrod, as trustees, depends upon the effect of the assignment by them disclosed, made by Barnard, the principal defendant, in trust for the purpose of enabling them, as assignees, to discharge certain debts due to his creditors, he being, at the time of the assignment, an insolvent debtor. It is admitted by the disclosure that the just debts of those creditors who had assented to the assignment at the time of the service of the trustee process, would be insufficient to absorb the whole amount of property assigned; but they contend that the surplus passed to other creditors provided for in the assignment, who signified their assent and became parties to it subsequent to the service of this process; so that at that time Barnard had no remaining interest which could be the subject of attachment. To what extent the property passed is then our only inquiry.

It is true that deeds of trust, when made for the undoubted benefit of persons who are absent, have been considered as vesting the legal estate in the trustee, without any expression of the assent of the persons for whose benefit such deeds are made. The assent of the cestui que trust has been presumed, inasmuch as the conveyance was made entirely for his benefit. It is rather upon the principle of gift, than of contract, that such acceptance has been presumed. So-when property is conveyed in trust absolutely and unconditionally for the payment of debts, as in case of preferred creditors, perhaps the assent of such creditors, whose debts are thus absolutely and unconditionally provided for, might be presumed, upon the common law principles applicable to trusts; although the case of Widgery v. Haskell, 5 Mass. 153, would seem to rendér even such a position questionable.

The case supposed is one of an absolute, unconditional convey-, anee. Even in such -a case, the assent of the creditors for whose use the conveyance was made would seem to be necessary to give it validity, inasmuch as it would be optional with such creditors to accept or resort to other, and, as they might believe, more effectual means to ensure an earlier payment. But when, by the very terms of the indenture, the creditors are required to discharge their whole demands in order to become entitled to any benefit from the property, can the instrument be operative in their favor until they assent to the condition ? If A offer B a bale of goods, upon condition that B discharge his demand.against A, does the property in the goods pass until the condition is complied with ? Or, which is nearer this case, if A convey the goods to C, to sell and pay the proceeds to B, upon condition that B discharge his note against A of twice the amount, can the assent of B be presumed, or will it be contended that any thing passed for the use of B, until he assents to the condition ? And if not, who has the equitable interest in that property ? Is it locked up, or is it liable for the debts of A ?

What was the situation of the property described in the assignment from Barnard to French and Harrod, at the time of the service of the trustee process ? The indenture, at that time, had been executed by Barnard, by the assignees, and by three only of Barnard’s creditors. The instrument had become operative; the property had passed to the assignees, for the benefit of such creditors as had signified' their assent to the terms, to the amount of their debts. Those who had not were still strangers to the transaction. They had not, in the language of the indenture, “ accepted the provision made for them, and released, acquitted and forever discharged the said Barnard from all their debts, dues and demandsand it was not to be presumed that they ever would so compound ; and of course, neither upon the principles of law applicable to trusts, nor by the terms of the assignment, could they have any interest in the property. It follows that at the time of the service of the trustee process on the assignees, the property assigned was liable, by virtue of the indenture, for the payment of such creditors only as might be presumed to have assented or had actually assented to its terms and conditions, and whatever surplus might remain, after discharging these demands is liable to such dissenting creditors of Barnard as attached it by this form of process in the hands of the assignees.

In this opinion we are confirmed by the case of Halsey v. Whitney, 4 Mason 217, where Mr., Justice Story says, “ if the assignment be assented to by any creditors, and be in other respects free of fraud, to the extent of the debts due to those creditors, it is valid, and subsequently attaching creditors can only avail themselves of the surplus. This is the doctrine in Hastings v. Baldwin, 17 Mass. 552, and it appears to me founded in the strongest legal sense and public convenience.” The same learned judge, in speaking of the necessity of creditors becoming parties to the conveyance, says, “ I did not understand that any local decisions have gone the length of requiring that the creditors should assent to it at the moment of its execution. If they sign the instrument afterwards, the conveyance is good against all persons but intervening attaching creditors.” The same principle is recognized as sound by Chancellor Kent, in his commentaries, vol. 2, p. 420, who says “ the assent of the creditors, to be benefitted by the assignment, had been held to be essential to its validity, and the intervening attachment of another creditor, who is no party to the assignment, issued before such assent be given, has been preferred.” In Ward v. Lamson & tr. 6 Pick. 350, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts say, “ the question made in another case this term meets us likewise in this, namely, whether the plaintiffs will hold the funds by virtue of their trustee process in preference to the creditors who signed the indenture subsequently to this attachment. We did not anticipate that such a question would have been made. For twenty years it has been considered to be law that if an attachment is made before any creditor has become a party to the assignment, the attachment will hold. So, if it is made after some have signed the indenture, the attaching creditor will have a priority to subsequent signers. Otherwise, as it cannot be known whether creditors will or will not execute the assignment, the property would be locked up” — and the court add, “ we think this is not now an open question.” Accordingly in the discussion of Lupton v. Cutter & tr. 8 Pick. 298, the question is considered as at rest, and is so treated by the counsel and the court.

Neither do, we perceive that the liability of French and Harrod in this case depends upon any contingency. They disclose that they have the property of Barnard in their hands, and the question is to whom shall they pay it over ? If by law it is to be paid to the plaintiff, in preference to such creditors as become parties to the assignment subsequent to the service of this process, the assignees are exonerated pro tanto from the claims of the latter. In Thorndike v. DeWolf & tr. 6 Pick. 123, the court say, “ by the term contingent is intended an uncertainty whether any thing will ever come into the hands of the trustee, or whether he will ever be indebted, the uncertainty arising from the contract, express or implied,between the debtor and the trustee.”

We are all clearly of opinion that the facts disclosed by French and Harrod shew them to be trustees of Barnard, at the time they were served with the plaintiff’s writ, and they are accordingly so adjudged.