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Fowle v. Torrey
131 Mass. 289
Mass.
1881
Check Treatment
Endicott, J.

The bill prays, among other things, that the defendant may be ordered to state a full and correct account of the money received by him from the plaintiff, either alone or as a member of the firm of Fowle, Torrey & Company. We are of opinion that George E. Fowle is a necessary party to the bill. The notes which the plaintiff seeks to enforce against the defendant were the notes of the firm of Fowle, Torrey & Company. It has been decided by this court, that a partner who has received an assignment of all the partnership property, and executed a bond to his retiring partner to assume and pay the partnership debts, does not become liable to pay a debt due from the firm to a creditor, without evidence of an express or implied assent by him to pay the same to the creditor as his private debt. Wild v. Dean, 3 Allen, 579, and cases cited.

There is no allegation in this bill that the defendant agreed to assume and pay these notes to the plaintiff as a private debt. If he made such a promise, in a manner binding upon him, it would seem that the plaintiff would have a complete remedy at law. But the only point we decide in this case is, that the bill cannot be maintained without making Fowle a party. Upon the other questions argued at the bar, and upon the question whether it can be maintained in its present form without further amendment, we express no opinion. Demurrer sustained.

Case Details

Case Name: Fowle v. Torrey
Court Name: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Date Published: Jun 28, 1881
Citation: 131 Mass. 289
Court Abbreviation: Mass.
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