Fairfield Bridge Co. v. Nye

60 Me. 372 | Me. | 1872

Kent, J.

This case is replevin for a quantity of granite stones, and is submitted to the court to determine the law and facts, and thereupon to render judgment. The issue is on the title of the plaintiffs to the stones in question. If that title is not shown, the judgment must be for the defendant.

Both parties claim title or right under Ira Andrews. The defendant by an attachment of the stones as the property of Andrews. The plaintiffs on several grounds to be hereafter stated.

The first ground assumed by the plaintiffs is based upon a written contract between Andrews and themselves. By that contract, Andrews, in consideration of payments, as afterwards specified, promises and agrees with the company, ‘ to build two granite piers of Hallowell granite, of first class masonry, of the form and dimensions particularly specified. The piers to be commenced as soon as the stage of water will admit, and be completed during the winter, or before the spring freshets. The work to be carried up under the supervision of persons named.

The company, on their part, agreed to pay Andrews the sum of fourteen dollars per cubic yard, the first installment of five hundred dollars to be paid on the 13th of November, which was the date of the contract, and five hundred dollars monthly, until the piers are completed' and accepted, when the whole shall be paid.

The first five hundred dollars were paid on the day first named, and another like sum on the 13th of December, and another like sum on the 13th of January, and another like sum on the 15th of February, — all in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Andrews proceeded on his part to commence the execution of the contract, and obtained, on his own credit, a quantity of Hallo-well granite, and had it brought to Kendall’s Mills and deposited near the railroad, on ground obtained for that purpose by him, from the railroad corporation.

He then hired men to dress and prepare the stones, on that spot, ready to be put in their places in the piers. No part of the stones were placed in the piers, but they remained on the land when attached by the defendant.

It is contended by the plaintiffs, that by virtue of the contract and the payments made, they acquired a title to the stones, thus in process of preparation, or a right or interest in them, which would prevent a legal attachment by a creditor of Andrews. How far such a right or title might be sustained, if the stones had actually been placed in the pier or piers, and had become a part of the promised erections, it is unnecessary to decide.

The contract was an entire and single one, viz., to erect and build two piers of Hallowell granite. The contractors must furnish and fashion the materials and put them in place, and when he had done so, his contract was performed.

He could not call upon the company to purchase or become surety for the price of the Hallowell granite. The contract does not give any lien or property in the stones as the work progressed.

If a man contracts with a builder to erect for him a house on his land, at a fixed price, and according to certain specifications, and further agrees to pay money to him at specified times, some of which are clearly before the commencement of the work, and there are no other terms or conditions, the man, for whom the house is to be built, does not acquire a title to the lumber which the contractor may purchase and take to his shop to be prepared and fitted for the house.

We think the first proposition cannot be sustained.

The plaintiffs, however, next produce an absolute bill of sale from Andrews to them, dated the 15th of February, 1870, the day when the last payment of five hundred dollars was made. The consideration named is two thousand dollars, paid by the company, and the bill purports to convey to the company ‘ all the granite stones, piled near the depot, which I have fitted for the new piers of said bridge company, to have and to hold forever.’

This is an absolute bill of sale, with no conditions or qualifications.

If it is to be viewed as an absolute sale, the defendant objects that it is void as against the attaching creditor.

1. Because there was no consideration for it. It was declared early in this State, in the case of Gorham v. Herrick, 2 Maine, 98, that a ‘ defendant, representing a creditor, has a right to require that such sale and transfer should appear to have been made Iona fide, and for a good and sufficient consideration. The same doctrine is found in Richardson v. Kimball, 28 Maine, 470; Whitaker v. Sumner, 20 Pick. 404.

Now what consideration was there for this bill of sale. The evidence declares none, except it be found in the payments that had been made, which were the two thousand dollars paid in the four installments. But those payments were made in strict accordance with the terms of the agreement. The plaintiffs saw fit to agree to make those payments on certain days named, without making them dependent at all upon the amount of work done. Indeed the first payment was to be made, and was made, on the day the contract was executed.

The contract had not been abandoned at the time of this absolute sale. The order for one hundred and ninety dollars was not given until after the bill of sale, and was no part of the consideration, as appears by the evidence. It was not drawn, as the other orders were, upon the treasurer, by name of his office, but seems to be a mere memorandum to show a subsequent advance toward the next installment. It is difficult to find any legal consideration for such an absolute bill of sale of property, worth, according to the statements of witnesses, about thirty-eight hundred dollars. Andrews owed nothing to the company at that time. He received only what was legally due to him. According to the terms of the bill of sale, it was not taken as security for the performance of the contract, or for any purpose of security.

2. But if the sale does not fail for want of consideration, there does not appear to have been any delivery, either actual or symbolical. Andrews did not go to or near to the stones, after signing the bill of sale, with any purpose to make delivery; but departed on the train from the town immediately after signing the bill of sale. •The stones remained in the possession or charge of his foreman for some days. No possession was taken by the vendees, nor any act of ownership exercised before attachment. A delivery of some kind is essential, as between vendees and subsequent purchasers or attaching creditors. The delivery must be by some act, express or symbolical, by which the possession is transferred to the buyer.

No sufficient notice is proved, or actual possession acquired, before the attachment.

If regarded as an absolute bill of sale, we cannot find sufficient evidence of the delivery required by law.

It is finally contended, that if the sale cannot be sustained, if viewed as an absolute one, yet that under the facts proved, it may be sustained, as a mortgage or pledge, or in some form as security.

There are indications, and perhaps sufficient evidence, that the real intention of the parties was not an absolute sale, irrespective of any future connection between the parties, but rather that the contract remaining in force and not abandoned, the sale should stand so as in some form to operate as security.

But it is difficult, if not impossible, to say, upon the evidence, that there was any definite and distinct agreement as to what was to be secured. If we felt at liberty to ingraft upon the bill of sale conditions of defeasance, we should be at a loss to determine what they are, or should be. There seems to have been some confused and indefinite idea of ‘ indemnity for the past, and security for the future,’ — for the money paid under and according to the terms of the contract, and security for the performance in the future. But we can find no specific and exact matter or thing which could be stated as the condition of a mortgage or pledge. In order to have a mortgage or pledge good as against attaching creditors, or subsequent purchasers, there must be, at least, a distinct and specific condition that can be clearly stated and understood, and which, being performed, the property would be released.

It must be such a demand or claim, as can be stated, under the requirements of R. S., c. 81, §§ 41, 42, 43, so definitely that the sum to be paid by the attaching officer is fixed and certain.

We have thus considered the case upon the several points raised, and argued on the merits, because we suppose that the parties desired such consideration. But on the last proposition, which regards the sale in the light of a mortgage or pledge, there seems to be an insuperable objection to the maintenance of this action against the attaching officer, in the provisions of R. S., c. 81, § 42. That section provides that ‘ when personal property, attached on a writ, or seized on execution, is claimed by virtue of such mortgage, pledge, or lien, the claimant shall not bring an action against the attaching officer therefor, until he has given him at least forty-eight hours’ written notice of his claim, and the true amount thereof; and the officer or creditor may, within that time, discharge the claim by paying or tendering the amount due thereon, or restore the property.’

The object of this provision is manifest, and the legislature has seen fit to make it a condition precedent to the bringing of an action.

We find no evidence that such a notice was given in this case. It would seem to be a conclusive objection, so far as relates to this transaction received as a mortgage or pledge or lien.

The result is, that judgment must be given for the defendant, and for a return. The parties can probably adjust all questions as to amounts, without further action by the court. But the judgment must be

Judgment for the defendant, and for a return of the property replevied and for costs, and for damages for detention, to he assessed and determined at nisi prius term, where case is pending.

Appleton, C. J.; Walton, Dickerson, Barrows, and Dan-forth, JJ., concurred.