107 Mass. 1 | Mass. | 1871
The questions presented on this hearing relate merely to the validity of the assignments which have been made of the mortgage executed by the company to Berdell, Gregory and Davis, dated March 19, 1866. The mortgage was made in trust to secure the bonds of the company to the amount of twenty millions of dollars, to be thereafter issued. The mortgage is in form an indenture, the trustees being called the parties of the second part. The conveyance is made to have and to hold “ unto the said parties of the second part and the survivor of them, and his and their successors and assigns forever, on the trusts, and for the uses and purposes herein declared, and none other.” One of the “ terms, conditions and agreements ” upon which the conveyance is made is as follows:
“ Second. That in the case of the death, resignation or removal of one of said trustees, the premises hereby conveyed, and the trusts hereby created, shall vest in the survivors or survivor, who shall thereupon appoint in writing, by deed, a person or persons in the place and stead of the trustee or trustees so deceased, resigned or removed, and such appointment and the acceptance thereof shall vest the said premises and trusts in .the person so appointed, jointly with the trustee so appointing, as fully as if such appointment had been originally made in this deed; and all subsequent vacancies happening in said trust shall be filled in like manner and with like effect, by the trustee in each case remaining. And in case of the decease, removal or resignation of all of said trustees, the vacancies may be filled by any judge of the supreme court of the state of Connecticut, on application of any party interested, on such notice to the other parties interested as the judge acting shall order; and the trustees so appointed and accepting shall become vested with all the franchises and estate hereby conveyed, on recording or lodging a certified copy of the order for their appointment in all places where this mortgage is required by law to be recorded or lodged.”
On February 27, 1867, Berdell by an instrument in writing resigned his trust, and by indenture of October 28,1867, between
On December 31, 1868, by an instrument under seal and acknowledged, Davis and Gregory each resigned his trust, and assigned all his right, title and interest in the property to Eldridge.
On August 16, 1869, by indenture between Eldridge of one part, and Mark Healey and Henry N. Farwell of the second part, he appointed the latter his co-trustees, and assigned to them a joint interest in the property.
On March 16, 1870, Healey and Farwell, by an instrument of that date, under seal and acknowledged, resigned their trust, and assigned their interest in the property to Eldridge; and on the same day, by indenture between Eldridge of one part and Thomas Talbot and Moses Kimball of the other part, reciting all the prior appointments and resignations, he appoints them his co-trustees, and assigns to them a joint interest in the property.
On the same day, by an instrument under seal and acknowledged, Eldridge resigned his trust, and assigned to Talbot and Kimball all his interest in the property.
On July 25, 1870, by indenture between Talbot and Kimball of one part, and Avery Plumer of the second part, they appointed him co-trustee with them, and assigned to him a joint interest in the property.
The question submitted to the court is, whether Talbot, Kim-ball and Plumer are now the trustees and hold the legal title to the mortgaged property.
It is obvious from the foregoing recital, that the resignations, appointments and conveyances have all been made in conformity with the terms of the mortgage. The clause above cited authorizes any of the trustees to resign at his pleasure. It provides that upon such resignation the trusts shall vest in the survivor or survivors. When Berdell resigned, he made no conveyance to the survivors. But such conveyance was not required by the terms of the instrument, and it is well settled that the person who creates the trust may mould it in whatever form he pleases, and may therefore provide that on the occurrence of certain events
The estate created by the mortgage is in legal effect an estate in joint tenancy .in three trustees, determinable either by death, resignation or removal; and limited over, upon the happening of either event, to the survivors, until they shall appoint a new trustee, and convey to him so as to vest the estate jointly in themselves and the new trustee.
The appointment of new trustees has been by the survivors or survivor while in office, so that it is not like the cases where an appointment by a retiring trustee of a successor in his own place has been held invalid. It has been done as the instrument directs, and a proper conveyance has been made to each new trustee. In the cases where it has been held invalid, the execution has not conformed to the power.
The question has been suggested, whether Eldridge, Farwell and Healey were competent to act as trustees for the bondholders, they being at the time officers of the corporation. This fact cannot affect their capacity to hold and pass the title, which ia the only question now before us; for the individuals who are officers are distinct from the corporation itself, and may make contracts with it, make conveyances to it, and receive conveyances from it; and, in general, all persons are competent to be trustees.
On the whole, we can see no ground to doubt that the present trustees have been legally appointed, and that their title to the
Title of the present trustees declared valid.
On September 30, 1870, the Adams Express Company filed a petition, which set forth that on April 1, 1869, the petitioners entered into an indenture with the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company,, which provided that the petitioners should transport their express matter or freight over the railroad of that corporation, and the lines- leased and operated by it, and it should give them the necessary facilities therefor; that the petitioners should credit the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, as its share of the proceeds of the business, with forty per cent, of the gross receipts, with certain deductions, and the remaining sixty per cent, of the gross receipts should be retained by the petitioners as their share in the proceeds of the business; that the petitioners should lend and advance to the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company the sum of $200,000, for which they should receive its note or notes, with the pledge of 10,000 shares of their capital stock as collateral security for the repayment of the $200,000 with interest; “that the forty per cent, of the gross receipts herein above allotted to ” the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company “ may be credited when dúe upon said notes, and shall, to the extent of such credit, discharge the same, and when such credits shall amount to the said sum of $200,000 and interest so to be advanced, then the said notes and the 10,000 shares of the capital stock shall be surrendered to ” the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, and the petitioners “ shall thereafter pay monthly in cash to ” the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company “ its share of the gross receipts as hereinbefore provided; ” that the contract should continue in force untl* the $200,000 and interest to be advanced should be wholly repaid, “ whether during the term hereinafter fixed as a limit to this contract, or not; ” and that the contract should continue for five years from its date.
The prayer was, that the receivers might carry out and comply with all the terms of the contract, in the same manner and to the same extent as they were being carried out by the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company before the appointment of the receivers.
The receivers answered, admitting the making of the contract, requiring proof, if material, that the petitioners had performed their part of it, alleging that it was grossly unconscionable, and denying that they were bound by it. The matter was referred to a master, who reported that the contract was just and fair, and that the petitioners had performed their part thereof. The case was reserved by Gray, J., on the petition, answer and master’s report, for the determination of the full court, such order or decree t.) be entered as justice and equity might require.
B. R. Curtis, & C. A. Seward (of New York), for the petitioners. The receivers stand in all respects in place of the railroad company. Jefferys v. Dickson, Law Rep. 1 Ch. 183, 190. Receivers v. Paterson Gas Light Co. 3 Zabr. 283. Hyde v. Lynde, 4 Comst. 387. Devendorf v. Beardsley, 23 Barb. 656. Bell v. Shibley, 33 Barb. 610. Curtis v. Leavitt, 15 N. Y. 9. Lincoln v. Fitch, 42 Maine, 456. Their rights are the same as those of the assignees of a bankrupt, who take the bankrupt’s estate subject to all the equities which affect him. Ridout v. Brough, Cowp. 133. Mitford v. Mitford, 9 Ves. 87, 100. Brown v. Heathcote, 1 Atk. 160. Ex parte Stephens, 11 Ves. 24. Clason v. Morris, 10 Johns. 524, 540. Murray v. Lylburn, 2 Johns. Ch. 441. Mumford v. Murray, 1 Paige, 620. Smith v. Kane, 2 Paige, 303. Van Epps v. Van Deusen, 4 Paige, 64. Ex parte
The receivers were appointed upon a bill in equity, brought by certain creditors of the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, holding bonds secured by a mortgage of its road, property and franchises to trustees therein named. The suit is brought in behalf of themselves and all other creditors holding like bonds. They allege a default in the payment of interest due upon said bonds; that the security is depreciated in value and inadequate; that sundry suits are pending against the corporation, and attachments upon its property; that the property and business of the corporation are not properly managed by the' directors ; that there is some question as to what persons are now the legal trustees of said mortgage ; and that the persons acting as such trustees are unsuitable for the trust. They also allege that the directors of the corporation are about to issue improperly other bonds, and to do certain other acts to the injury of the interests of the corporation, and to the prejudice of said bondholders. They pray that receivers may be appointed to preserve and protect the property; that said mortgage may be foreclosed, the property sold under a decree of this court, and the proceeds distributed and applied to the payment in whole or in part of the said bonds.
It has not yet been determined whether the court will proceed to a foreclosure of the mortgage, and a sale of the property and distribution of the proceeds, according to the prayer of this bill. In the mean time, pending the suit, the receivers are directed, for the care and preservation of the property, to take possession of the road, with all its property, franchises and rights, including the earnings and income thereof; “ to maintain and keep in repair the said railroads, and operate and carry on the same, or such part thereof as may be practicable and for the interest of all parties concerned; and receive the income from and earnings thereof.” They are authorized to dismiss any of the agents or servants of
The payment of debts of the corporation, previously contracted, would be inconsistent as well with the nature and purpose of the office of the receivers, as with the terms of their appointment. They have no right to appropriate the property and assets of the corporation for that purpose, nor the earnings of the road while operated by them. The amounts to be allowed under the contract of the corporation with the petitioners are earnings of the road, to be acquired by service requiring outlays by the receivers, and are a part of its legitimate assets, as much as if due in money. By the terms of the contract, they are to be applied to the debt of the corporation. But that contract constitutes no hen upon the property or franchise of the corporation; and it is no more obligatory upon the receivers, either to make the application or to render the service, than the debt itself is. To fulfil that contract in all its terms will be, in substance and effect, to appropriate the use of the property and the earnings of the road, pro tanto, to the payment of the debt to the petitioners, in preference to ah others. The receivers may properly refuse so to do.
But as they hold the property at present only provisionally, and, until the ultimate disposition of the case, it is uncertain whether it will be disposed of for distribution to creditors, according to their respective -rights, under direction of the court, or restored to the corporation, such direction should be given as will in one event secure to the creditors, in whose behalf that biU is brought, ah their just rights, and at the same time, in the other event, disturb, as httle as may be, the relations and rights of the corporation, and of other parties under their contracts with the corporation. This will be accomphshed most nearly, if the receivers are directed to continue the performance of the service required by the contract, leaving the question of the application of the amount to become due as compensation therefor, either under the contract or otherwise, or the payment thereof to the receivers, to be determined hereafter, when the ultimate disposition of the
Ordered accordingly.
On October 20,1870, a petition in bankruptcy was filed in the district court of the United States for the district of Massachusetts, against the Boston, Hartford & Erie Bailroad Company, and on March 2, 1871, the corporation was adjudged bankrupt.
On March 1, 1871, this bill in equity against the corporation was taken pro eonfesso, • and on May 9, 1871, a decree of foreclosure was passed, which provided that upon payment by the trustees under the mortgage, to the receivers, of all sums which they had advanced and borrowed under order of the court, of a proper compensation to them for their services, of all debts, liabilities and damages, which could be ascertained, incurred by the receivers, and upon the giving of' security by the trustees for all debts, liabilities and damages, incurred by the receivers, which could not be ascertained, the receivers should deliver to the trustees the railroad and all other property in their hands; but that the receivers should still continue in office; that the trustees, on taking possession, should file the notices required by the mortgage ; and that, if for eighteen months after the filing of the notices the default should continue, then the property should vest absolutely and in fee in the trustees, without further assurance and without further process of law, and all right or equity of redemption of the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company should be barred and foreclosed. On August 17, 1871, the trustees having made the payments and given the security required by the decree of foreclosure, the receivers in pursuance of an order of the court delivered the possession of the railroad and all other property of the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company into the hands of the trustees.
On October 21, 1871, the receivers filed a motion that the Adams Express Company pay to them the sum of $69,207, for services performed by the receivers in transporting express matter
At the hearing on this motion, before Wells, J., the facts above stated appeared, and the Adams Express Company offered to prove other facts, of which the following are all that are now material:
“ That before they made the contract of April 1, 1869, with the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, the latter had a lease from the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, and the benefit of the contract or arrangement of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company with the Norwich & New York Transportation Company respecting through freight to and from New York; that the chief express business contemplated by said contract of April 1, 1869, was to and from New York on the road of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company and by the boats of the Norwich & New York Transportation Company; that the said proposed contract contemplated that the Adams Express Company should collect all the dues for the express business over the roads of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, and the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, and by the boats of the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, should be allowed 60 per cent, thereof as their own compensation, and should allow the residue, being 40 per cent., as compensation to the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company for all service on its roads or under its contracts, including the Norwich & Worcester Railroad and the boats of the Norwich & New York Transportation Company; that it was further contemplated that the Adams Express Company should make an advance payment of |200,000 to the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, on account of and on the faith and security of said 40 per cent,
“ That, when the receivers were appointed by this court, they were notified by the Adams Express Company of the information and assurance they had received from the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company and the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, and were notified not to pay or contract to pay anything to either of said companies for the transportation of express matter of the Adams Express Company, with any view of calling upon said express company to reimburse or secure them therefor, for the reason, among others, that those companies could not justly
“ That the receivers have not actually paid to the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, or the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, anything for services rendered to the express matter of the Adams Express Company; or have not paid any such amounts as, in addition to their own service rendered, would entitle them to demand the said 40 per cent.”
The case was reported for the determination of the fall court on the facts and offer of proof above stated, and the documents and proceedings referred to; “ such judgment, decree, order or further direction to be made as shall be deemed and found to be according to justice and equity and the rights of the several parties.” But if any of the facts set forth in the offer of proof, not otherwise appearing or admitted in the case, should be deemed to be material for the proper and final disposition thereof, then the case was to stand for hearing for the proof of such facts.
On December 12, 1871, the Adams Express Company filed a petition against the trustees under the mortgage, praying that they might be restrained from refusing to transport express matter and freight for the petitioners under the contract of the latter with the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company. At the hearing, before Wells, J., the same facts appeared as at the hearing on the motion of the receivers, with the additional fact that the trustees refused to be bound by the contract; the same offer of proof was made by the Adams Express Company; and the case was reserved for the full court in similar terms. The motion and this petition were argued together in March 1872.
J. J). Ball, for the receivers. When the petition of the Adams Express Company was filed, the receivers were in possession of all the property, and all was covered by the mortgage, both that owned at the time of the mortgage and that subsequently acquired, the legislature having legalized the mortgage. Howe v. Freeman, 14 Gray, 566, 575. Pennock v. Coe, 23 How. 117. Coe v. McBrown, 22 Ind. 252. Pierce v. Emery, 32 N. H. 484. The receivers are entitled to compensation for the service performed, and when received they hold it for the trustees. When
Although the mortgagee may have obtained a judgment for foreclosure, and the statute period may have expired, and the execution may have issued, and be in the hands of the officer, the rights of the mortgagee to rents and profits are no greater than if there had been no breach of condition. Field v. Swan, 10 Met. 112. Huntington v. Smith, 4 Conn. 235. Eaton v. Whiting, 3 Pick. 484. Class v. Ellison, 9 N. H. 69. Wilder v. Houghton, 1 Pick. 87. Mayo v. Fletcher, 14 Pick. 525. Woodward v. Pickett, 8 Gray, 617. Wright. v. Lake, 30 Verm. 206. Parkhurst v. Northern Central Railroad Co. 19 Maryl. 472. Syracuse City Rank v. Tollman, 31 Barb. 201. Cooper v. Davis, 15 Conn. 556. Haven v. Adams, 8 Allen, 363. So in case of a judgment creditor. Bissell v. Payn, 20 Johns. 3. Rich v. Baker, 3 Denio, 79.
In strict mortgages of real estate, leases do not subsist against a mortgagee in possession, because they are an estate in the land, created in derogation of his fee; and for the further reason that the lessee may redeem. Haven v. Adams, 4 Allen, 80, 93, and 8 Allen, 363. Haven v. Boston & Worcester Railroad Co, 8 Allen, 369. Bacon v. Bowdoin, 22 Pick. 401. Loud v. Lane, 8 Met. 517. So the holder of a bond to convey may redeem, if entitled to specific performance. Lowry v. Tew, 3 Barb. Ch. 407.
The analogies of strict mortgages of real estate, which disregard certain rights and equities of third persons who have made prospective contracts with a mortgagor, as-against a mortgagee in possession, do not control the present case.- And this, not only because the present is a contract sui generis, and not a mortgage strictly speaking, but because its purposes and nature imply the right and power of whoever shall be in possession and control of the road, whether the corporation or the trustees, to make such a
The advance of $200,000 was, in the view of a court of equity, a prepayment for transportation to be furnished. The provision for the continuance of the contract beyond the five years, if necessary for that purpose, favors that view, and it is not affected by the fact that the corporation gave its notes and some collateral security; for the ability of the road to perform its part of the contract was necessarily contingent.
At any rate, so long as the corporation was in possession and control, the contract must be held to have been binding, and before August 17,1871, the business must be considered as done by the corporation. The receivers were simply officers of the court; they represented neither the corporation nor the bondholders, but whomsoever it might concern. They were the official stakeholders, with an obligation to keep the stake, namely, the property, business and contracts, in condition, and restore it as nearly as possible in statu quo ante. Booth v. Clark, 17 How. 322. Wiswall v. Sampson, 14 How. 52, 65. Ryckman v. Parkins, 5 Paige, 543. Davis v. Marlborough, 2 Swanst. 108, 118. In re Colvin, 3 Maryl. Ch. 278. Heate v. Pink, 3 Macn. & Gord. 476. Hutchinson v. Massareene, 2 Ball & Beat. 49, 55. Sharp v. Carter, 3 P. W. 375, 379. Boehm v. Wood, Turn. & Russ. 332, 345. Elicott v. Warford, 4 Maryl. 80. Phinnery v. Evans, 11 H. L. Cas. 115. The receivers have no remaining rights or equities. They were fully paid and secured, as a condition precedent to the possession by the trustees. The trustees claim that whatever the
The Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company and the Norwich & New York Transportation Company cannot claim cash payments from the Adams Express Company, or demand anything in derogation of their right to hold the forty per cent, for the repayment of their advance.
R. R. Bishop, for the trustees. There is no privity of estate or contract between the Adams Express Company and the trustees. The case is parallel to that between a mortgagee and tenant under a lease granted by the mortgagor after the* mortgage. Massachusetts Hospital Insurance Co. v. Wilson, 10 Met. 126. Russell v. Allen, 2 Allen, 42, 44. Brown v. Storey, 1 Scott N. R. 9, 16. Smith v. Shepard, 15 Pick. 147. Fitchburg Cotton Manufacturing Co. v. Melven, 15 Mass. 268. Waddilove v. Barnett, 2 Bing. N. C. 538. Notes to Moss v. Gallimore, 1 Smith Lead. Cas. (6th Am. ed.) 843, 849. Doe v. Buckcnell, 8 C. & P. 566.
To fulfil the contract set up by the Adams Express Company wotdd be to apply the property and earnings of the road to the payment of their debt in preference to all others, and in preference to the prior mortgage debt represented by the trustees. Brown v. New York & Erie Railroad Co. 19 How. Pract. 84. Any person claiming under a contract relating to a mortgaged estate, made after the mortgage, without privity of the mortgagee, must claim subject to the mortgage. Rogers v. Humphreys, 4 Ad. & El. 299, 313. Keech v. Hall, 1 Doug. 21. Haven v. Adams, 4 Allen, 80. Haven v. Boston Worcester Railroad Co. 8 Allen, 363, 369. Henshaw v. Wells, 9 Humph. 568. Jackson v. Fuller, 4 Johns. 215. Jackson v. Chase, 2 Johns. 84. Crosby v. Harlow, 21 Maine, 499.
The alleged facts, offered to be proved as to the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company and the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, afford no ground for the injunction prayed for. It is immaterial what the terms of a contract were, by which the trustees are not bound. Nor can the petition be supported as in any sense a garnishment of any sums due for rent, or otherwise, from the trustees to the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, or the Norwich & New York Transportation Company. These companies are not made parties to this proceeding, and the trustees would have no authority to offset against them any sum which the Adams Express Company should be allowed to retain. If the Adams Express Company have any claim against the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, or the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, they have a perfect remedy, at law. Both companies are solvent, and able to respond.
The receivers having, in pursuance of the decision and order of this‘court, delivered the possession of the railroad and all other property of the corporation into the hands of the trustees under the mortgage, it becomes proper and necessary for the court to direct what disposition shall be made of the earnings of the road, while managed by the receivers, in transporting freight for the Adams Express Company; or what compensation shall be rendered for that service, and in what mode.
No claim is now made, by either party, that a different rate of compensation should be allowed from that provided for by the
The decree, appointing receivers, gave no priority or superior1» ity of right to the parties upon whose application or in whose behalf it was made. Story Eq. § 829. Adams Eq. 355. It had no effect to change the title, or create any lien upon the property. Its purpose, like that of an injunction pendente lite, was merely to preserve the property until the rights of all parties could be adjudged. The receivers are officers of the court for this purpose, and act under its direction and control. They continue the operation of the road and the conduct of its business, because this is essential to its proper preservation. They may fulfil the contracts of the corporation so far as beneficial. They may not pay its debts, nor fulfil contracts which are burdensome, or tend to diminish the value of the property in their control, unless such contracts are charged as incumbrances upon the property, or are necessary to its proper preservation and security. They are entitled to repayment of their reasonable expenses and charges, in preference to all other claims upon the property, of whatever nature.
As these proceedings were originally commenced in behalf of the bondholders, after breach of the condition of the mortgage, and for the purpose of foreclosing the same; and as the court has decided that they were entitled to have the mortgage foreclosed, and has ordered possession to be delivered to the trustees for that purpose, it is contended that the taking of possession by the receivers was the commencement of a judicial foreclosure; that it was equivalent to an entry by the mortgagees ; or was at least a possession in their behalf and for their use and benefit. The trustees are now party to the proceedings, and have been heard in support of this claim.
The question of the right of the mortgagees to. the income of the property, during the pendency of the proceedings by which they have been put into its possession, must be determined by the provisions of the mortgage. It is that alone which can give them any priority.
The terms of the mortgage-being thus explicit in regard to the mode in which the trustees may reach and control the use of the corporate property and franchises, and appropriate the income thereof, we do not think that any lien or priority of claim upon the income of the road can be acquired by them in any other node.
Another clause in the mortgage is pressed upon our consideration. It is as follows : “ The remedy herein given to said parties of the second part shall not be construed to deprive them or any other parties of their full rights and remedies in the several courts of law and equity in said states, as they exist now or may hereafter exist, and any court of competent jurisdiction may enforce any of the provisions of this instrument.”
Against the claim of the receivers to collect these earnings of the road from the Adams Express Company in order to apply the money to the payment of their expenses and charges in operating the road, it is answered that those expenses and charges have already been paid to them by the trustees. This is a sufficient answer to the claim, so far as it concerns the receivers personally. But as officers of the court, representing the interests of all parties, their claim is not at all affected by such payment. The trustees made the payment as an advance, under the order and direction of the court, for the protection of the receivers from personal loss and responsibility. This was necessary in order to bring the operations of the receivers to a close; and on account of the delay required for adjustment of the various claims growing out of those operations, and for the final settlement of then’ accounts. But the trustees are entitled to have those claims adjusted, and those accounts settled, precisely as if no such advance had been made by them; and to be indemnified for the amount thus paid by them, so far as it was applied to expenses and charges in managing the ordinary business of the corporation while in the hands of the receivers. So far as it was applied to the repayment of advances made or liabilities incurred by the receivers for permanent improvements, or for securing rights or advantages for the benefit of the principal property and franchise^
It was decided at the former hearing, that the contract with the Adams Express Company gave them no hen upon the property or rights of the corporation; that the receivers were under no obligation to fulfil it, either by performing- the service stipulated for, or by applying any earnings of the road, while man aged by them, to the payment of the debt of the corporation. But as the receivers were acting only provisionally, they were directed to continue the performance of the service as required by the contract, upon receiving security for the payment of proper jompensation therefor, if and as it should ultimately be ordered by the court. The receivers have no interest in requiring that compensation to be made, except for the repayment of their expenses and charges. If not needed for that purpose, they have no occasion to interfere with the application of those earnings in the manner provided for in the contract, unless some other right is shown, .superior to that of the Adams Express Company under the contract, which requires that the fund be administered upon by the court.
The corporation has no such right. The general creditors are not parties to the suit; and it is not instituted in their behalf or for their benefit. It does not partake, in any degree, of the nature of a proceeding in insolvency. As already shown, the bondholders and the trustees under the mortgage have no lien upon these earnings, and no priority of claim upon them.
Bu • it appears that, shortly after the receivers took possession, the corporation was adjudged bankrupt under the laws of the United States, and, in pursuance of those laws, all its property, rights and franchises were conveyed to assignees appointed for that purpose. All parties interested having acquiesced in that adjudication, and no question being made here as to the applica tian of the bankrupt laws of the United States to such corpora lions, we must regard those" proceedings as valid and binding upon the rights of all parties for the purposes of this case. The assignees have appeared to represent their interests in the subject
The effect of the assignment was to transfer to the assignees all rights of the corporation, leaving all its unsecured obligations to be adjusted’ alike, and entitled only to their proportionate share in the final distribution. But for the possession by this court through its receivers, the assignees would have had possession of the road, and would have taken all its earnings, without any obligation or right to apply any portion of them to the debt of the Adams Express Company as provided by their contract. The right being thus in the assignees, the court is bound to recognize and give effect to that right, in directing the action of its receivers, and in disposing of the fund.
The right to redeem the property from the mortgage is in the assignees. Payment of this fund to the trustees through the receivers will enure to the benefit of the assignees by reducing pro tanto the mortgage debt. The court, having control of the fund, and its custody, constructively, is bound to make that disposition of it which is required by the parties having the superior right.
The receivers therefore will be required to collect, for the use and benefit of the mortgagees, so far as not required for their own expenses and charges remaining unpaid, all earnings of the road from the time the assignment in bankruptcy took effect. That date is said to be October 20, 1870.
As to the earnings of the road, under this contract, prior to that date, if the receivers did not derive, from other sources of income, an amount sufficient to cover their expenses and charges in operating the road and managing the business of the corporation, they will be entitled to receive from these earnings such sum as will make up the deficiency during that period; or to collect the whole, if it does not exceed that deficiency. No other ground of claim to the earnings prior to October 20,1870, appears to us tc have been maintained by any party.
The evidence offered to show that the Adams Express Company were induced to enter into the contract, and to make the large loan of money to the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad Company, by certain representations of the Norwich & Worcestez
We do not understand that this claim is made upon the ground of false representations as to the solvency or credit of the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company. It is not alleged that the statements were in writing; without which they would not avail.
If any claim on account of such representations could be maintained against either of those other corporations, it is too far collateral to this contract to constitute any defence, either in whole or in part.
By the lease of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad, which the receivers assumed, they controlled the entire transportation through to New York; and were thus enabled to furnish and did furnish to the Adams Express Company the full extent of service stipulated for by the contract. In neither contract is the consideration or compensation apportionable. No part of that which is to be rendered by the Adams Express Company to the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company is specifically applicable to the transportation over the other two lines; and no part of that which is rendered by the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad Company, or by the receivers, to the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company, is specifically for receipts from transportation of express freights. What precisely are the arrangements with, the
The proposed proofs therefore furnish no ground, either for apportioning the sums due to the receivers under the contract, or for directing them to retain, for the benefit of the Adams Express Company, or to withhold payment of any portion of the sums payable to the other two corporations on account of transportation of express matter over those lines.
For the purpose of determining whether the receivers are entitled to collect any portion of the earnings of the road, under the contract, prior to October 20; 1870, and if so. bow much, the case will stand for hearing before a master ; unless the matter shall be otherwise adjusted by the parties. The earnings for the month of October are also to be apportioned. The amount to which the receivers are entitled being thus determined, a decree will be entered for its payment.
Ordered accordingly.
The petition of the Adams Express Qompany against the trustees presents questions in some respects differing from those presented as against the receivers. The trustees are not officers of the court, and do not act under its direction. Their possession and right of possession are confirmed by the decree of the court. But beyond that they stand upon their own rights as mortgagees. For the extent and measure of those rights the instrument of mortgage is the guide.
The petitioners deny that that instrument is, in its legal construction and effect, a mortgage. By its form and terms it professes to be a mortgage; and it is executed and recorded as such. It is made in accordance with legislative authority, specially given for the purpose, to secure the bonds of the corporation. We cannot doubt that it should be construed according to the manifest intent and purpose, both of the parties and of the legislature; and have effect to convey the legal title to the property and the rights which it describes. It is not the less a mortgage that it applies to property both real and personal, corporeal and incorporeal.
But if it were not a mortgage strictly, in legal effect, the court would, in equity, give it such operation as would secure the rights
The contract of the petitioners confers no rights which attach by way of lien upon the property or franchises of the corporation. If it were otherwise, as it was made subsequent to, and with full notice of the mortgage, it must be held subordinate to that incumbrance. Against the mortgagees, or against the property of the corporation in their rightful possession, it could have no force, unless the mortgage by its terms reserved to the corporation the power to make contracts, in respect to the conduct of its business, which should be binding upon the mortgagees.
It is contended that the mortgage does reserve such a power , or rather, that it is implied from the terms of the mortgage and the nature of the rights which are transferred by its operation. The argument is, that the mortgage contemplates the transfer, not only of property and franchises, but also of the current business of the corporation; that such business implies continuance of operations, services and relations entered upon under contracts previously made. It is urged that the trustees,- when they enter for breach of condition, take up the business of the corporation, without interruption, as they find it organized by the previous action of the corporation, with the arrangements and contracts incident to it; that this involves, almost necessarily, the execution by the mortgagees of contracts previously made by the corporation ; and that, from the nature of the case, all contracts which are incident to and reasonably necessary or proper for the establishment and maintenance of such business must be within the authority of the mortgagors, while retaining control of the property, to make for the future as well as the present operation of the road.
If this were to be conceded, so far as relates to the mode of conducting the operations of the road, and the rates of compensation for service, it would fall short of the requirements, of the case of the petitioners. To hold the mortgagees bound to render service without compensation, on the ground of a contract therefor and prepayment to the mortgagors, would involve the right of the mortgagors to defeat entirely the security thus given, by depriving the property of its capacity to yield available income.
The principle seems to us to be the same in the two cases. The mortgagee, coming in by a superior title, takes the subject of his mortgage clear of all obligations contracted by the mortgagor, whether personal to himself or relating to his management of the property. If he continues in operation the arrangements of the mortgagor, or fulfils or accepts the fulfilment of contracts previously made, they become binding upon him only so far as he adopts them and because he has adopted them. He is not per
We are satisfied that it was the right of the trustees to refuse all performance 01 recognition of the contract of the petitioners with the corporation, and to require not only payment of compensation for transporting their freights, but that the rate of compensation and terms of the service should be subject to a new arrangement, as if no contract had existed.
The right of the mortgagees is an absolute one. There is no contingency which would justify the court in interfering to enable the petitioners to give security for the payment of such sum only as shall be found to be necessary for the payment of interest in arrear upon the bonds. The mortgagees are entitled to the whole property and all its income, until payment has been made in fact. Gooding v. Shea, 103 Mass. 360. It is a legal right which cannot be limited. Neither the equity nor the facts of the case warrant any such disposition of it.
The parties must be remitted to their legal rights.
Petition dismissed.