32 Ala. 173 | Ala. | 1858
Lead Opinion
I lay down, and shall endeavor to maintain, the folio wing ^propositions:
1. That Alexander J. Jude and Peter A. Remsen, the mortgagors in the mortgage which is the subject of the decree of foreclosure in favor of Hunt in 1839, were parties to the judicial proceeding in which that decree was rendered.
2. That the complainants in the original and cross bill claim under those mortgagors, and are barred and precluded, after the expiration of five years from the execution of that decree.
3. That the complainants do not come within any exception to the statute, under which they ai*e so barred and precluded.
4. That a court of chancery will not, in any proceeding, set aside the sale under the decree of foreclosure in favor of Hunt, upon any of the grounds of fraud or irregularity alleged, after the length of time which intervened between that sale and the institution of this suit.
The maintenance of these propositions will manifestly he decisive of the entire case against the complainants, both in the original and cross bill. We proceed to consider them, in their numerical order.
1. Peter A. Remsen and Alexander J. Jude were the mortgagors in the mortgage sought to be foreclosed by the decree of 1839. The record of the foreclosure suit contains a subpoena ad respondendum, issued against Peter A. Remsen and Jude, and other defendants. The sheriff’s endorsement shows a service “ upon Peter A. Remsen, for Remsen and Jude,” and a service upon other persons. We find also in the record an entry as follows, to-wit :•
*182 “Jonathan Hunt, compl’tA The parlies came, and the :■defendants having failed to answer the allegations of the bill, the same are taken as confessed; and the original ¡mortgage and note, being vs. Peter Remsen, Alexander Jude, Thomas Ellison, John S. Remsen, John W. Townsend, def’ts./produced and proved, are, with the bill, referred to the register, to state the accounts between the parties, and report to this term of the court.”
The question is, does this entry afford evidence that Alex. J. Jude, the one of the mortgagors not served with the subpoena, appeared.. In the consideration of this question, it must be observed in the outset, that there is a marginal statement of the names of the parties, showing the application of the entry to the case. The name of Jude is found in the list of defendants. The word “ def’ts ” follows in the marginal statement the names of the parties adverse to the complainant, thus characterizing them as defendants. The entry says, that “ the parties came.” In saying “the parties came,” the entry must be understood to mean that the persons mentioned in the marginal description of the case as parties, came. The design of the marginal description of the case is to apply the entry: they mutually refer to each other, and should be so construed as to harmonize. Jude and the rest are characterized as “def’ts,” and, therefore, as parties to the suit. The harmony of construction of the two requires, that we understand the word parties in the entry to mean the persons characterized as parties in the margin. There is no consistency between the marginal description and the entry, if the former denominates him a defendant to the suit, while, under the construction of the latter, he is not a party to the suit.
In the case of Williams v. Lewis, 2 Stewart, 41, the suit was against three, upon two of whom there was service of process. Judgment was l-endered against the three, and contained the following recital: “ This day came the pari ties, by their attorneys; and the defendants, by their attorney, waiving their plea,” &c. This recital was held, on error, to evidence an appearance only by the two
In Gilbert v. Lane, 3 Por. 67, suitwas against three, upon one of whom the writ was served. The description of the ease, preceding the judgment, contained the names of the two not served, along with that of the one served; and the minutes recited, that the plaintiff “ came by his attorney, and the defendants by their attorney.” In reference to these facts the court says: “ The names of all the defendants being on the margin of the entry, and the statement of the entry that the defendants appeared by their attorney, show clearly that the three defendants all appeared in the suit.”
Lucy v. Beck, 5 Porter, 166, is a case where there was service upon one alone of the two defendants, a discontinuance in the declaration as to the one not served, and a judgment against both defendants, reciting that the parties came by their attorneys. The court expressed the opinion, that the judgment would have been good as to both defendants, if there had not been a discontinuance as to the one not served.
Wheeler v. Bullard, 6 Porter, 352, decides, that the recital, “ came the parties, and the defendants withdrew their plea,” was an appearance by two defendants, one of whom was not served, and as to the other of whom there had been a discontinuance upon the record. There was a third defendant, as to whom there had been no discon-inuance, and upon whom there was a service of the writ.
In the case of Hobson & Sons v. Emanuel, 8 Porter, 442, the suit was against three. There was no service of the writ; but there was an acknowledgment of service endorsed on the writ, which availed nothing in favor of the judgment, because it was not proved. There was a plea in abatement by one defendant, and no plea by the others. A judgment was rendered against the three; and the judgment was sustained on error, upon the ground that the recital, came the parties by their attorneys, was an appearance by all three defendants.
In the two cases of Catlin, Peeples & Co. v. Gilder’s Ex’rs, 3 Ala. 536, and Puckett v. Pope, ib. 552, judgments were rendered against persons sued as partners, only one of whom had been served with process. In both cases, the defendant served alone pleaded; and the judgment entry, preceded by a statement of the case, in which the defendants are described by a partnership name, recites that the parties came by their attorneys, and. the impan-neling of a jury, and a return of verdict upon the issue joined, in usual form. The court distinguish those two cases from the case of Gilbert v. Lane, and Wheeler v. Bullard, in this: that in the two latter cases, there was a statement of the names of the defendants in the margin, from which it’was inferred that the persons therein named were intended as the parties who came; and in the former, an issue was made up and submitted to the jury, who rendered a verdict, upon which the judgment was predicated. No attempt is made to overrule the older decisions; but, on the contrary, they are, in effect, reasserted. The cases in 3 Ala. are placed upon the ground,
The decision in Boykin v. Rain, 28 Ala. 332, was as to the effect upon a married woman of a recital that the complainants and defendants came by their solicitors, and has no application to persons sui generis. Savage & Darrington v. Walshe and Emanuel, 26 Ala. 619, and Graham & Christian v. Roberts, 7 Ala. 719, are both cases where the judgment was predicated upon a verdict on issues to which the defendants served were the parties; and the idea is thus excluded, that the judgment was rendered against the defendant not served. They are like the cases of Catlin, Peeples & Co. v. Gilder, and Puckett v. Pope, which are above distinguished from this. — See Bissell & Carville v. Carville, 6 Ala. 503; Walker v. Chapman, 22 Ala. 116; Beal & Bennett v. Snedicor, 8 P. 524; Garner v. Gantt, 7 P. 452; Landes v. Perkins, 12 Missouri, 241, 254; Landes v. Brant, 10 Howard, 371; Noyes v. Butler, 6 Barb. Sup. R. 613; Lentz v. Stroh, 6 Serg. & R. 34; Scott & Combes v. Israel, 2 Binney, 145; Hall & McKelvey v. Law, 2 Watts & Serg. 121.
Influenced by the authority of the decisions of this court which I have collated, and the decisions of other courts above cited, as well as by what I conceive to be correct reasoning. I hold, that the recital, “ the parties came,” is referable to the names stated in the margin, and
I am aware that there are decisions opposed to the conclusion which I have attained, as to the effect of the recital of the record under consideration ; but I think it fully sustained by reasoning and authorities which ought to control the question; and I therefore hold, that Jude was a pai’ty defendant in the foreclosure suit of Hunt, and that the court in that case had jurisdiction of his person, as fully as though the subpoena had been served upon him.
2. Having decided that the mortgagors, Alexander J. Jude and Peter A. Remsen, were parties to the foreclosure suit in favor of Hunt, and that the court which rendered the decree had jurisdiction over the persons of both of them, we proceed to consider the question, whether the complainants in the original and cross bills are barred by he statute of limitations of five years.
This suit was instituted after the expiration of nine years from the approval of the act above quoted, and more than thirteen years from the sale under the decree. Therefore, the delay is sufficient to bring the case within the operation of the statute, if it applies, and if the complainants do not come within some exception to it.
I concede that Ellison was dead when the decree was rendered; that the suit was thereby abated as to him, and that the decree has, of itself, no effect whatever upon his heirs or representatives, who were never in any way made parties. — Branch Bank at Montgomery v. Hodges, 12 Ala. 123; McCurry v. Hooper, ib. 823; Gliddon v. Andrews, 10 Ala. 166; Mary, 9 Cranch, 142; Watson v. Spence, 20 Wend. 260; Doe v. McLoskey, 1 Ala. 708; Bates v. Delavan, 5 Paige, 299; Boykin v. Rain, 28 Ala. 342; Hunt, Frowner & Co. v. Acre, Johnson & Co., 28 Ala. 393; Hood v. Stinnett, 9 Ala. 335; Halford v. Alexander, 12 Ala. 280; Stewart v. Nuckles, 15 Ala. 231; Moore v. Easley, 18 Ala. 619; Ex parte Swan, 23 Ala. 192.
While it is conceded, that the decree of foreclosure and the sale under it could not, per se, be effectual against Ellison’s heirs and representatives, and were as to them totally ineffectual, it was unquestionably binding upon all persons who were parties to the suit, and who were before the court, either by the service of a subpoena, or by a voluntary submission to the jurisdiction of the court. Both the mortgagors (Jude and Peter A. Remsen), Townsend, who appears to have been a tenant, and J. S. Remsen,
Eor the reasons already given, I cannot regard the decree of foreclosure in favor of Hunt as a nullity, as mere waste paper, although it could not of its own force affect persons not parties. If the decree had no operation against any person, if there had been no parties whatever, it would have been no decree; and then a sale under it could never have been protected by the statute of limitations of five years. Before the statute can apply, there must be a decree. It is not necessary that that decree should be binding upon the person having by purchase from the mortgagor the equity of redemption. If it were, there would be no field for the operation of the statute. The statute was not needed, and was not designed, to protect a purchase, where a valid title was obtained, because the person having the equity of- redemption was not a party.
Ellison’s interest was “ an equity of redemption.” Ellison claimed Uunder the mortgagors,” because he claimed by direct purchase from them. Ellison’s attitude, if he were the party here, would be within the letter of the statute. The position of his heirs and representatives is the same. They are barred by the statute of five years, unless they come within an exception to it.
3. By a proviso to the statute, (Clay’s Digest, 329, § 93,) five years are allowed “for infants, femes covert, insane persons and lunatics, after the termination of their disabilities, to bring suit.” The suit is brought by the executors and the heirs of Jude; and to establish the applicability of the exception to the statute of limitations, it is contended that the right of suit in this case, and the equity of redemption set up, are in the heirs. I pass that position by without controverting it, not because I am convinced of its correctness, but because it does not affect the result of the argument. If the right to maintain the original suit is in the complainants, they cannot avail themselves of the exception to the statute, because several of them had attained majority more thaD five years before the commencement of the suit; and the rule is settled in this State, that 'when the statute begins to run as to one of several parties to a joint cause of suit, it runs as to all. Hardeman v. Sims, 3 Ala. 751; Wilkins v. Judge, 14 Ala. 188; Shute v. Wade, 5 Yerg. 1-7-12.
In my opinion, the statute of limitations of five years applies to the complainants in tbe original bill; they are not within the exception to it, and are barred by the statute from tbe maintenance of the suit.
Tbe complainant in tbe cross bill is estopped by tbe decree of foreclosure. Her ancestor was a party. He was bound by the decree; and so she, succeeding only to "ibis;rights, must be bound by it. Jude might have set up bis equity of redemption, in defense to Hunt’s foreclosure suit.. , Not having set up bis right in that case, be was barred by. the decree. — Wittick v. Traun, 25 Ala. 317; Shumake v. Nelms, 25 Ala. 126. It follows that tbe cross bill of Alexandrine J. Jude is defeated, upon aground independent of tbe statute of limitations.
4. It remains to consider tbe question, whether tbe complainants’ bill is not maintainable as an application to set aside the sale of the land upou the grounds alleged in tbe bill. I am not sure that tbe bill in this case is alegit-imate mode of application for tbe setting aside of the sale. Brown v. Frost, 10 Paige, 246; Littell v. Zuntz, 2 Ala. 256; Branch Bank at Mobile v. Hunt, 8 Ala. 876. But waiving that question, relief must be denied to the complainants, so far as this point is concerned, upon the ground, that the application is too late. It must be admitted, that the facts alleged and proved would have authorized the setting aside of the sale, if a timely'- and proper application had been made for that purpose. A petition, addressed to the court under the decree of which the sale is made, is certainly the most usual and appropriate mode of application to vacate the sale. There can be no reason for laying down a rule as to the eftoct of time, when the proceeding is by bill, differ.ent from that which prevails when the proceeding is by petition; and there is no reason for a discrimination, so far as this question of
It was decided in the case of Littell v. Zuntz, 2 Ala. 256, that a sale under a decree of foreclosure should be set aside, upon a state of facts similar to those existing in this case. The sale in that case was vacated upon the reimbursement to the purchaser of the purchase-money, and his compensation for improvements. The petition was filed before the confirmation of the report of the sale. In the case of Herbert v. McCollum, 6 Ala. 218, this court said, in reference to applications to vacate the sales of land under writs of fieri facias : “We may, however, remark, that the motion should be made in a reasonable tinye.; most i’egularly, at the first term succeeding th<3 lydfurii' the process. 1 .--1 that there might not be circumstances under e vfo say, ____ jhich the „„ court should interfere at a subsequent term, egpemfly^ffV there are sufficient reasons for not having sough| its sooner. Beyond this the present case does nqt^i the expression of an opinion.”
In the case of Abercrombie v. Conner, 10 Ala. 293, it was held, that a motion to set aside the sale of land was in time, if made before the purchaser went into ppssession, or made an effort to acquire possession.
In the ease of Daniel v. Modawell, 22 Ala. 365, the court refused, after the lapse of four years, to set aside a sale, where the purchaser had gone into possession, sold her interest for a valuable consideration to one who had again sold, and the last purchaser had made valuable improvements. Ignorance was held no excuse for the delay, because the circumstances were sufficient to induce inquiry. See, also, Lankford v. Jackson, 21 Ala. 650.
In this case, the facts upon which the setting aside of the sale is sought, were known. The executors of Ellison brought an action on a bond of indemnity against the mortgage under which the land was sold, and obtained a large recovery, upon the ground that the sale w^as a breach of the bond. Valuable improvements have been put upon the land. The purchaser has died. The property has vested in his heirs or representatives. It has
So far as the cross bill is concerned, the grounds for refusing to set aside the sale at the instance of the complainant in it are still stronger. Jude, the father of Alexandrine J., the complainant, died in September, 1842, about three years after the sale. He resided in Mobile; was in Mobile at the time of the sale; was sued upon the bond to indemnify Ellison against the mortgage; and he and Peter A. Remsen settled the judgment, by giving notes. It is impossible to avoid the conclusion, that he either knew all the circumstances of the sale, or was grossly negligent in omitting inquiries suggested to him by facts within his knowledge. Hunt was in possession of the lots before his death, and yet he interposed no objection to the sale.
As Judge Stone concurs with me in my conclusion, I proceed to announce the decision of the court. The decree of the court below is reversed, at the costs of the appellees, and a decree is here rendered, as follows: It is ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the original bill stand dismissed, and that the adult complainants and next friend of the infant complainants in the same pay _ the costs in the original cause in the court below; and that the cross bill be dismissed, and that the complain
Being entirely satisfied with the arguments and authorities upon which my conclusion that Jude was a party is based, it is not indispensable that I should express any opinion upon the propositions from which my brother Stone has deduced the same conclusion since the foregoing opinion was prepared. I cannot now, without a further delay of the decision, which has already been too long delayed, give to the arguments and authorities of my brother Stone that consideration, which would enable me to form a reliable opinion upon them. I, therefore, withhold the expression of an opinion upon them.
In the ease of Voorhees v. United States Bank, 10 Peters, 449, 474-5, the supreme court of the United States said: “ The line which separates error in judgment from the usurpation of power is very definite; and is precisely that which denotes the cases where a judgment or decree is revei’sible only by an appellate court, or may be declared a nullity collaterally, when it is offered in evidence in an action concerning the matter adjudicated, or purporting to have been so. In the one case, it is a record importing absolute verity; in the other, it is mere- waste paper. There can be no middle character assigned to judicial proceedings, which are irreversible for error. ******
“ Acts of limitation become useless, if a defendant is allowed to evade them by avoiding judgments or executions, on the suggestion of defects or omissions in the record, which can be reviewed only by an appellate court; a direct premium is held out for delaying the resort to the mode pointed out by law for correcting the errors of judicial proceedings.”
In another place in the same' opinion it is said : “No rule can be more reasonable, than that the person who complains of an injury done him, should avail himself of his legal rights in a reasonable time, or that that time should be limited by law. This has wisely been done by acts of limitation on writs of error and appeals. If that
The case from which I have quoted was an action of ejectment. The lessors of the plaintiff made title through a judicial sale; and it did not appear that any notice had been given of the proceedings, under which the sale was made. Notwithstanding this omission, there was a recovery by the plaintiff, and the judgment was affirmed in the supreme court of the TJnited States. The court, after determining that the proceedings came up only collaterally, remarked, “There is no principle of law better settled, than that every act of a court of competent jurisdiction shall be presumed to have been rightly done, till the contrary appears. This rule applies as well to every judgment or decree, rendered in the various stages of their proceedings from the initiation to their completion, as to their adjudication that the plaintiff has aright of action.” See, also, Thompson v. Tolmie, 2 Peters, 157; Grignon’s Lessee v. Astor, 2 How. (U. S.) 319.
In Bustard v. Gates and Wife, 4 Dana, 429, which was a writ of right, the plaintiff’s title depended likewise on a judicial sale. Under a statute of the State of Kentucky, it was permissible to sell the lands of a decedent in payment of his liabilities, on a motion and notice t-o the heirs and legal representatives. The notice in that case was served on the heirs of the decedent, but there was no motion against, or notice to, the personal representative. The question was, whether the title of the plaintiff, derived under such proceedings, would be upheld. The court, Oh. J. Iiobertson delivering the opinion, said: “As the circuit court had jurisdiction over the subject-matter, the fact that the heirs alone, who were not expressly bound, and were therefore liable only in a joint proceeding against themselves and their ancestor’s personal representative, were proceeded against without being joined with such representative, and without any assigned reason for the omission, did not affect the jurisdiction of the court, but, at the utmost, only shows that the judgment was erroneous, on the ground that, although the heirs were
In Horner v. Doe, 1 Carter, 130, the question of the validity of judicial proceedings came up collaterally. The court, after conceding that, upon certain points connected with this subject, the authorities might be in irreconcilable conflict, proceeded to state that “there are some points upon which they generally agree.” Among the points on which that opinion asserts the authorities generally agree is the following: “"Where the i*ecord discloses nothing upon the point, jurisdiction of the person and of the subject-matter will, the contrary not being proved, be presumed, in cases of domestic judgments of courts of general jurisdiction, where they come collaterally in question.” See, also, Brown v. Wood, 17 Mass. 68; Robb v. Lessee of Irwin, 15 Ohio, 689; Lessee of Nelson v. Moore, 3 McL. 319, 321; Warren & Dalton v. Lusk, 16 Mo. 102; Elsworth v. Learned, 21 Ver. 535.
In New York, the supreme court seem to have gone farther than the cases above cited, and held that, on an application for a new trial, in a case which had been tried in a court of general jurisdiction, “it will be intended in support of the judgment, when nothing to the contrary is shown, that the court had jurisdiction of the person of the defendant, although it be not averred in the record produced that the defendant was in custody &c., that he appeared to defend, or that the suit was commenced by the filing and service of a declaration according to the statute regulating the commencement of suits.”
The court by which the decision from which we have last quoted was pronounced, was composed of Nelson, C. J., and Bronson and Cowen, JJ.; the latter being the author of the opinion. — Foot v. Stevens, 17 Wend. 483.
In the case of Hart v. Seixas, 21 Wend. 40, the same question came again before the same court; but this time it ai-ose on a writ of error. The majority of the court affirmed the judgment, and held that, even on direct appeal, it was no ground of reversal of the judgment of
In Kempe’s Lessee v. Kennedy, 5 Cranch, 173, the defendants made title under a statute of New Jersey, under which the lands had been sold as confiscated property. The lessor of the plaintiff had never been a citizen of New Jersey, and it seems that the procceedings were palpably irregular, and that the court had no authority under the statute, and on the facts alleged in the petition, to entertain jurisdiction of the proceedings, or to order a confiscation and sale of Mrs. Kempe’s lands. Even if the petition had made a prima-facie case, which it seems it did not, the report of the case is strongly persuasive to show that Mrs. Kempe had committed no offense, the consequence of which would be a forfeiture of her lauds. The court, however, by which the decree was pronounced, had jurisdiction of the subject-matter — viz., such offenses; it had exercised that jurisdiction, and pronounced a decree under which the lands in controversy had been sold; and, in the opinion of the court, the title was divested out of Mrs. Kempe. Oh. J. Marshall delivered the opinion, and among other things said :
“ In the particular case of Grace Kempe, the inquest is found in the form prescribed by law, and by persons authorized to find it. The court was constituted according to law; and if an offense, punishable by the law, had been*197 in fact committed, the accused was amenable to its jurisdiction, so far as respected her property in the State of New Jersey. The question whether this offense was or was not committed — that is, whether the inquest which is substituted for a verdict on an indictment, did or did not show that the offense had been committed, was a question which the court was competent to decide. The judgment it gave was erroneous: but it is a judgment, and, until reversed, cannot be disregarded.”
In the ease last cited, it is not alleged that any notice, actual or constructive, had ever been given to Mrs. Kempe, and the whole proceeding seems- to have been ex parte.
In collating and citing the foregoing authorities, I do not wish to be understood as sanctioning all that is said in each of them. In Hart v. Seixas, supra, the question arose directly on writ of error, and the opinion of the majority of the court is directly opposed to our own decisions. See Williams v. Lewis, 2 Stew. 41; Brown v. Simpson, 3 Stew. 331; Gilbert v. Lane, 3 Por. 267; Wheeler v. Bullard, 6 Porter, 352; Catlin v. Gilders, 3 Ala. 536; Puckett v. Pope, 3 Ala. 552; Boykin v. Rain, 28 Ala. 332. Moreover, if the question were an open one in this court, I think the dissenting opinion of Judge Bronson in Hart v. Seixas, supra, is much better sustained than that of Judge Cowen. Neither do I intend in this opinion, the court being divided on the main point, to assert my unqualified approval of any of the cases cited above, further than the principle after stated may be regarded as an approval of them.
In Preston v. Dunn, 25 Ala. 507, the question of the couclusiveness of a decree of the chancery court came up collaterally. The opinion was delivered by Judge Gold-thwaite, and both his reasoning and conclusion have my hearty approval. The question was, whether an infant had been made a party to the former proceeding, and whether he was concluded by the decree. In the bill, he had been described as an “ only infant son, whose name is unknown to complainant.” No subpcena had been sued out, or served upon the infant, or upon any person for
This court-conceded that, for the above error, the decree would have been reversed on writ of error, on the authority of Hallett v. Walker, 1 Ala. 379; Johnson v. Hainesworth, 6 Ala. 443; Hodges v. Wise, 16 Ala. 509. To the same effect, see Clark v. Gilmer, 28 Ala. 265. The court, proceeded, however, to remark, that “ here, the question goes directly to the jurisdiction, and strikes at the power of the chancellor to make the appointment.” After citing, with apparent approbation, and in support of the opinion, the cases of Bustard v. Gates, 4 Dana, supra, and Robb v. Lessee of Irwin, 15 Ohio, supra, it was asserted in the opinion, that “ the improper exercise of this authority may be reviewed on error, but the act is not void, and the decree rendered could not, therefore, be attacked collaterally for the want of jurisdiction.”
In the later case of Gunn v. Howell, 27 Ala. 663, the question of the effect of a record came up collaterally. A judgment in garnishment, rendered in the' superior court of Talliaferro county in the State of Georgia, and its payment, were pleaded in defense of a suit brought to recover the same demand which had been condemned in garnishment. The statute of Georgia conferred on the superior courts jurisdiction over process of garnishment, as one means of enforcing the collection of judgments, and the court had jurisdiction of the person of the garnishee by personal service. Notwithstanding the question was thus collaterally presented, this court, because of certain errors in the proceedings in garnishment, ruled that the defense would not avail the garnishee. The cases cited in support of this proposition are four in number: Stevens v. Wilson, 5 Har. & Johns. 130; Thatcher v. Powell, 6 Wheaton, 119; Denning v. Corwin, 11 Wend. 647; Smith v. Fowle, 12 Wendell, 9. The cases from 5th Harris & Johnson and 12th Wendell presented the question directly on appeal. The case in 6th Wheaton was a case of summary jurisdiction, which stands on a different principle. The case in 11th Wendell is expressly overruled in Foot v. Stevens, supra, and Hart v. Seixas,
Notwithstanding the decision in Gunn v. Howell is made to turn on the fact that the jurisdiction of the Georgia court was of statutory creation, I do not think any of the cases cited, except possibly it be Taliaferro v. Lane, 23d Alabama, sustains the opinion of the court. I think our predecessors did not duly regard the distinction between a direct and collateral assault upon a judgment of a court of general jurisdiction. The following cases are, in my judgment, directly opposed to the conclusion which this court attained in Gunn v. Howell: Preston v. Dunn, supra; Kempe’s Lessee v. Kennedy, supra; Robb v. Lessee of Irwin, supra; Bustard v. Gates, supra.
In the case of Taliaferro v. Lane, 23 Ala. 369, the question came up collatei’ally. This court held the attachment in that case void. I do not deem it necessary in this case to declare my unqualified disapprobation of that case. It arose on a peculiar statute, and neither the defendant nor the property seized was, under our statute, subject to such process. It is worthy of remark, however, that all the authorities cited in support of the opinion were cases where the question was directly made on writ of error. The case of Loomis v. Allen was a suit under the same statute on which Taliaferro v. Lane was instituted. Loo'mis permitted a judgment by default to be rendered against him, and sought to get rid of it ou error. This court said, that when an attachment is improperly sued out, it must be abated by plea, and cannot be taken advantage of after a judgment by default. — 7 Ala. 706.
The authorities cited in Taliaferro v. Lane do not sustain the opinion of the court in that case.
It may be supposed that the decision in the ease of Wyatt v. Rambo, 29 Ala. 510, sustains, to some extent, the case of Gunn v. Howell, supra. I did not sit in that case, and while I frankly admit I do not approve of the principles therein asserted, I think the two eases rest on
In treating of the question under discussion, I think many of the adjudged cases lose sight of the important distinction between the liabilities df resident citizens, and those of non-residents. The former class owe allegiance to the State — are subject to its legislative and judicial control. The latter are, save in a few exceptional cases, entirely independent of either. In the case of Wilson v. Matthews, Finley & Co., at the present term, we collected many authorities which, on a kindred question, recognize this distinction.
I admit, that a majority of the best considered decisions hold, that if a judgment be pronounced, even by a court of general jurisdiction, against one over whom it has no jurisdiction, or who appears to have had no notice of the existence or pendency of the proceedings, such judgment will be declared a nullity, even where collatei’ally presented. This principle prevails, as I understand the rule, where it is made to appear, either by a fair construction of the record itself, or in some other legal way, that the proceeding was by attachment of goods, or ex parte, and in the absence of knowledge in the persons whose rights are sought to be affected by the decree. The following are authoi’ities to this effect: Shriver’s Lessee v. Lynn, 2 How. (S. C.) 43; Hollingsworth v. Barbour, 4 Peters, 466; Webster v. Read, 11 How. (S. C.) 437; Whitaker v. Murray, 15 Ill. 293; Downer v. Shaw, 2 Foster’s N. H. 277; Barkman v. Hopkins, 6 Eng. (Ark.) 157; Sherard v. Nevius, 2 Car. 241; Armstrong v. Harshan, 1 Dev. 187; Bonner v. Teir, 3 Dev. Law, 533; Shaefer v. Gates, 2 B. Mon. 453; Lincoln v. Tower, 2 McLean, 473; Rathbone v. Terry, 1 R. I. 73; Thompson v. Emmet, 4 McLean, 96; Woodruff v. Taylor, 20 Vermont, 65; Hall v. Williams, 6 Pick. 232; Howard
In the first three of the eases above cited, the proceedings were ex parte; and not only failed to show notice to the persons whose rights were sought to be affected, but in fact did not even name them, or pretend to know who they were. In the case from 4th Peters, they were described as the “ unknown heirs of said Hamlin.” In the case in 2d Howard, the petition was ex parte, praying the appointment of a trustee to sell certain lands, which, it was alleged, had descended to the petitioners: and made no mention whatever of Elias McGruder, the devisee, or of any other person, as assuming or claiming any adversary interest.
The case of Webster v. Reid, 11 How. S. C. 437, was characterized by frauds of darkest turpitude. The judgments had been recovered in summary suits against “the owners of half-breed lands lying in Lee county.” The defendants had no other or more specific designation. The record nowhere mentioned who those owners were, aipd the whole proceedings seemed to have been summary, and without notice to anybody.
The other cases cited were either commenced by attachment of goods, without personal service; or, were against non-residents, who were not under the legislative control of the State in which the judgment was rendered.
The foregoing citations recognize, as I conceive, a clear distinction between the following two classes of cases:
1. Where the parties are resident citizens, are correctly described in the pleadings, and the only objection is, that the record does not affirmatively and distinctly show that the parties have been brought before the court by service of notice, or have entered an appearance. In such case, I think the record and judgment, coming up collaterally, are not necessarily void, but their validity depends on circumstances hereafter considered.
2. Where the record affirmatively shows that certain parties are non-residents, and it does not appear that such non resident parties have entered an appearance, or otherwise been brought before the court; or, where the pro
In the case of Bradshaw v. Heath, 13 Wendell, 407, a decree of the superior court of Connecticut, though presented collaterally, was pronounced void. The opinion, which is an able one, was delivered by Chief Justice Savage, and, in its argument, carries the doctrine further than most of the cases which have fallen under my observation. One McDonald was a citizen of the State of New York, His wife abandoned him, and went to her father in the State of Connecticut. She there applied for and obtained a divorce from her husband, Dr. McDonald. Speaking of the proceeding, Ch. J. Savage says: “ It appears to have been entirely ex parte. It is not alleged in the record that notice was given to the husband, nor is there any appearance by him. The judgment of the .court also appears to have been rendered nine days before the petition was presented, praying for such judgment. This is probably to be reconciled by the practice of considering the term as but one day; but if so, still the judgment appears to have been pronounced instanter upon the presentation of the petition.” Mrs. McDonald, after obtaining, in this summary way, a divorce from Dr. McDonald, who all the time seemed to have been in New York, intermarried with one Bradshaw; and after the death of her second husband, she claimed dower in his lands. It was in her suit for dower that the opinion of Ch. J. Savage was pronounced.
It will be readily seen that this case came within class 2, as stated above. Dr. McDonald was a non-resident, and there was no pretense of actual or constructive notice. He, Dr, McDonald, owed no allegiance to the State of Connecticut, and was not amenable to its legislation or jurisprudence.
Notwithstanding the strong features of the case under discussion, the learned judge, after commenting on the case of Mills v. Duryee, 7 Cranch, 481, employed the following language: “ Since the decision of Mills v. Duryee,
The case last cited is itself a pregnant authority for the position, that when the effect of a judgment comes up collaterally, it is not sufficient to stamp its invalidity that the record fails to show affirmatively that the party was in court. To have that effect, the contrary — viz., that he was not in court — must be necessarily implied; or, it must appear that the party was not an inhabitant of the State. See, also, Borden v. Fitch, 15 Johns. 121.
Harris v. Hardeman, 14 How. Sup. Ct. 334, is the strongest case to which I have been referred, or which I have found, against the validity of the decree of foreclosure in this case. In its argument, it 'fully sustains the views of the appellee, unless the facts of that case distinguish it from this. Harris sued Hardeman in the circuit court of the United States for the southern district of Mississippi. There was no personal service of the writ, and the marshal returned it, “ executed on the defendant Hardeman, by leaving a true copy at his residence.” There was judgment by default; and an execution issued on this judgment was levied on certain property of Harde-man. Hardeman executed a forthcoming bond, and the same being forfeited, an alias execution was issued. Subsequently Hardeman moved in the circuit court to quash the last named execution and the forthcoming bond, and to vacate and set aside the judgment. This motion was granted in full, and Harris' thereupon appealed to the supreme court of the United States. The court were divided; six of the judges affirming the judgment of the circuit court, against three dissenting.
In the case last cited, two facts are prominently presented: 1st, in the pretended service, there was an at
If that court was correct in its views of the nature of the question, as presented in the above extract, it is manifest that case is clearly distinguishable from this. The court, however, in declaring its judgment, did not confine itself to the above view, but went much beyond what would have been necessary under the hypothesis that the proceedings were still in fieri.
I have carefully considered the argument of Judge Daniel in Harris v. Hardeman, supra, and the authorities cited by him in support of the conclusions he attains; and I think he, in a great measure, overlooks the two distinctions — first, between the effect of a judgment or decree when it comes up directly, and when it is presented collaterally; and, second, between those cases which are strictly ex parte on their face, or which show that they are against non-residents, as one class, and cases which formally disclose the parties, show that they are resident citizens, and the only objection is that the record does not affirmatively and technically show that the parties have been served with notice, or otherwise brought actually before the court.
Of the cases cited and relied on by Judge Daniel in support of his opinion, the following presented the question
The following eases were commenced by attachment of goods or effects, and did not undertake or pretend to give any personal notice to the defendants. They were judgments against non-residents, and come under class 2 above stated: Starbuck v. Murray, 5 Wend. 148; Pawling v. Bird’s Ex’rs, 13 Johns. 192; Aldrich v. Kinney, 4 Conn. 380; Borden v. Fitch, 15 Johns. 121; Buchanan v. Rucker, 9 East, 192.
To the same effect are the following cases: Kilburn v. Woodworth, 5 Johns. 37; Fenton v. Garlick, 8 Johns. 150; Phelps v. Holker, 1 Dallas, 261.
The case of Thurber v. Blackbourne, 1 N. H. 242, does not disclose how the suit was brought; but I infer from certain expressions in the opinion, that it was commenced by attachment of the goods of a non-resident. The case of Bissell v. Briggs, 9 Mass. 462, presented facts entirely different from those in Harris v. Hardeman. The defendants were actually served with notice, in the State in which the judgment was rendered; and the decision was against the plea of the defendants, who sought to question the jurisdiction of the court. In the case of Benton v. Bergot, 10 Serg. & R. 240, the defendant had been personally served ; and hence all that may have been said on the question of notice was merely incidental. The language is not sufficiently definite to enable us to determine its force, as bearing ou the question in this record.
In the case of Wilson v. Bank of Mount Pleasant, 6 Leigh, 570, a judgment had been recovered in the State of Ohio, which appeared to have been rendered on confession under a power of attorney. The defendant pleaded to a suit brought on this judgment, in Virginia, that the power of attorney was a forgery. Of course, this issue did not raise any question which is material in the present investigation, or which was presented in the case of Harris v. Hardeman.
The case of Hollingsworth v. Barbour, 4 Peters, 466,
I have now cited and classified all the cases which are relied on in the opinion of Judge Daniel as sustaining his conclusions. "With all proper respect, I think they do not support him.
The following cases seem to sustain the opinion of Judge Daniel in Harris v. Hardeman: Anderson v. Miller, 4 Blackf. 417; Woods, ex parte, 3 Ark. 532; Miller v. Barkloo, 3 Eng. 318; Calhoun v. Logan, 22 Penn. (St.) 46. The two cases from Arkansas, supra, were expressly overruled in the late case of Borden v. The State, 6 Eng. 519.
In the following cases there are dicta which support the views of Judge Daniel: Jennings v. Stafford, 1 Iredell, 404; Mills v. Dickson, 6 Rich. Law, 487; Central Bank v. Gibson, 11 Geo. 453; Steen v. Steen, 25 Miss. 513, 531.
In the following cases, which, in the generality of their language, also assert the same doctrine, the judgments had been rendered by justices of the peq.ce, or other courts of limited and statutory jurisdiction: Campbell v. Brown, 6 How. (Miss.) 106; Rossiter v. Peck, 3 Gray, 538; Com. Bank v. Martin, 9 Sm. & Mar. 613; Enos v. Smith, 7 Sm. & Mar. 85.
As I understand the opinion of my brother Walker, if the decree of foreclosure in the case of Hunt v. Remsen, Jude and others, had been brought before us in a direct proceeding by appeal or writ of error, he would hold that the recitals in the decretal order are sufficient to make Jude a party before the court, although for other irregularities he would probably reverse the decree. The first proposition he lays down in his opinion asserts, that Jude was a party; and the authorities which he collates in support of that proposition, are our own decisions in cases where the question was directly raised on writ of error. I do not assent to this. I think, under the rule declared in the cases of Catlin v. Gilder, and Puckett v. Pope, supra, if the question were presented directly on appeal, we would be .bound to reverse the decree of foreclosure, on the ground that the record does not affirmatively show that
When the effect of a judgment or decree of a court of general jurisdiction comes up collaterally, a very different
In the notes of Messrs. Hare & Wallace to the 5th edition of Smith’s Leading Cases, top pages 816, 841, et seq., there is an able note, which sustains the leading principles of this opinion.
The following cases, though not directly in point, are authorities in favor of the proposition, that courts will indulge liberal intendments in favor of records, when collaterally presented: Cox v. Davis, 17 Ala. 714; Lightsey v. Harris, 20 Ala. 409; Hardy v. Gholson, 26 Miss. 70; Stephens v. Roby, 27 Miss. 744; Hemphill v. Sappington, 6 Eng. 731; Lutes v. Alpaugh, 3 Zabr. 165; Miller v. Alexander, 8 Texas, 36; Bannister v. Higginson, 3 Shepley, 73; Rogers v. Evans, 8 Geo. 143; Ponder v. Mosely, 2 Fla. 207; Smith v. Keen, 26 Maine, 411; Johnson’s Appeal, 9 Barr, 416.
Several of our own decisions go very far. to sustain the view which I propose to take of this question. Wyman v. Campbell, 6 Porter, 219; Gaines v. Harvin, 19 Ala. 491; Cox v. Davis, 17 Ala. 714, and Lightsey v. Harris, 20 Ala. 409, are of this class. In several of these cases, it was sought to avoid the effect of judicial proceedings, which came up collaterally, on the ground that in the record it was not shown that notice had been given to the parties in interest. In each case, if the question had been presented directly on appeal, the probable result would have been a reversal. Being presented collaterally, the judgment in each case was declared valid.
Applying the rule stated above to the record of the foreclosure suit, I am unable to affirm, on the evidence which it furnishes, that Jude did not appear in the case, or know of its existence. Construing the language in its fair import, and presuming in favor of the regularity of the proceedings, I feel it my duty to hold, in a collateral proceeding, that it makes a prima-facie case against him — namely, thatheknew of the proceeding, and might have defended the suit, if he had elected to do so. This, as I understand the rule, constitutes the decree prima facie valid.
It must be borne in mind that, in laying down these rules, I confine my remarks to the subject of jurisdiction in its relations to the person of the suitors. Jurisdiction of subject-matter is a very different question. Whenever this is wanting, no matter how the question arises, the judgment is coram non juclice and void ; and the same fate attends such judgment, whether it be pronounced by a court of general or limited jurisdiction. See Nowlin v. McCauley, at the present term; Miller v. Jones, 26 Ala. 247; Smith v. Knowlton, 11 N. H. 191, 198, and authorities cited.
Having shown that the decree would have been reversed on direct appeal, but that coming up collaterally it is not
TJnder a statute of this State, in suits against two or more persons, on a contract which is joint and several, if process be, as to a part of the defendants, returned not found, the plaintiff may discontinue his action as against those not served, and take judgment against such as are served. Cases have arisen under this statute, where, the writ not being served in full, judgment had been erroneously taken against all the defendants. Some of our decisions declare the rule in such cases to be, not to entertain jurisdiction of the question in the first instance. Motion must first be made in the court below, to correct the error; and, if that motion be overruled, then this court will apply the proper correction. — Grayham v. Roberds, 7 Ala. 719; Savage v. Walshe, 26 Ala. 619, 633; Del Barco v. Br. Bank, 12 Ala. 238.
In this case, the liability of the mortgagors under the mortgage being joint, the chancery court had no power, in the then state of the record, to correct the error, and render the proper decree. It could only have set aside the decree of foreclosure, and directed service to be perfected on Jude. This being done, the case could have been prosecuted to a final decree.
In chancery causes, the reason for the rule asserted in the cases cited above does not exist, and the rule itself does not apply. The record failing to show affirmatively that service of subpcena had been perfected, the objection would be entertained on appeal in the first instance.
I do not assert that, in chancery causes, parties who complain of irregularity in the service cannot have relief in the court which pronounces the decree. Courts of chancery certainly possess such power in a proper ease. In cases, however, where the decree has been executed, and the mortgaged premises sold, even if the mortgagee himself became the purchaser, I would hold, that a mortgagor, who seeks to set aside such sale by an application in the same court, should move in the. matter within a reasonable time after the sale, or after he obtained knowl
As tire decree in this case would have been reversed on direct appeal, or would have been set aside on timely application : and the property being purchased by the mortgagee, the sale would also have been set aside on timely application, I feel it my duty to take a further step. It is within the range of possible events, that a mortgagor, circumstanced as Mr. Jude was, may fail to seek redress, until his right of appeal will be barred, and until he can not obtain full reparation of the injuries he complains of, by motion in the court which pronounced the decree. I would hold, that a defendant, thus circumstanced, is in the same predicament as any other defendant to a judgment would be in, where the judgment was on its face irreversible for error, and yet the defendant had not in fact been served with notice of the suit, and did not know of its existence in time to make defense. In such case, as a prerequisite to opening the judgment, he would be required not only to aver and prove'that he did not in fact have notice of the suit, but he must go farther and show that he has a valid defense to the action. Further, the jurisdiction of a court of chancery in such case being special, and dependent entirely on the absence of other adequate remedy, if the defendant was informed of the existence of such reversible judgment or decree in time to take an appeal before the statute perfected a bar, he would be without remedy in chancery.
In Cowan v. Braidwood, 1 Manning & Granger, 882, a judgment had been recovered in the court of session in Scotland, without personal service on the defendant. Suit was afterwards brought in England on this judgment, and the defendant pleaded, ‘‘that he was not, at the time of the commencement of the suit in the Scotch court, or at any time during the proceedings therein, in Scotland, or at any place within the jurisdiction of the said court; nor was he, at any time before the making or pronouncing of the decree, in any manner, according to the course and
In Reynolds v. Fenton, 3 Man. Grang. & Scott, 187, a suit was brought on a decree of the tribunal of commerce at Brussels. The defendant pleaded, “that he was not at any time served with any process issuing out of that court at the suit of the plaintiff, for the cause of action upon which the said judgment or decree was obtained, nor had he at any time notice of such process, nor did he appear in the said court to answer the plaintiffs.” The plea was held bad, because it did not aver that the “ proceedings were so conducted as to deprive the defendant of the opportunity of defending himself therein.” Tindall, C. J., and Maulé, J., delivered the concurring opinion of the court. — 54 English Common Law, 186.
In Sheehy v. Prof. Assurance Co., 4 J. Scott, 787. the same doctrine was re-affirmed. — 76 Eng. Com. Law, 787.
In the following cases, it was held, that knowledge of a suit, shown by parol evidence, and dehors the record, was sufficient to fix the liability of indemnitors: Walker v. Ferrin, 4 Ver. 523; Collingwood v. Irwin, 3 Watts, 306. See, also, Mills v. Duryee, 7 Cranch, 481; Cole v. Connoly, 16 Ala. 271.
In our own court, it has uniformly been held, that
Independent of the intendments which I draw from the record of the foreclosure suit, I go further, and hold that neither the original nor the cross bill in this case makes a case for equitable interposition. Neither of them shows or pretends that Jude did not have ample opportunity to defend the suit before the final decree, while in each it is expressly shown that he had actual and impressive knowledge of the decree and its substantial results, long before his right to sue out a writ of error was barred. Nor does the proof place Jude, and those who claim in his right, in a more defensible attitude.
It will be observed, that I have, in effect, said, that in a bill which seeks to obtain relief against a judgment, which, if timely application had been made, might have been reversed for error; and when the peculiar equity rests on an alleged want of notice of the pendency of the suit at law, the bill must go further and aver a want of knowledge of the suit and recovery within the time limited for taking an appeal. This principle, of course, has no application to judgments which are on their face void; nor does the making of this necessary averment of want of knoioletlge, cast ou the pleader the necessity of proving —the record being silent on the subject — that he did not have such knowledge. — Carroll v. Malone, 28 Ala. 521, and authorities cited; Vincent v. Rogers, 30 Ala.
Having come to the above conclusions, I feel relieved in this case from all apprehension of individual hardship, by the prominent facts patent upon the record. Those prominent facts are the following:
1. Jpde and Remsen were partners and part owners under a joint purchase, and in a joint mortgage; and
2. The two Remsens — one of them, Peter A., being the partner of J ude — at the very time at which the decree of foreclosure was pronounced, and on a later day of the term, moved the chancellor to set aside the decree pro confesso, that they might answer and defend the suit; and did not urge as a reason for setting aside the decree that Jude had not been made a party by personal service or otherwise. They failed in their motion, when, if they had alleged and shown that Jude had not been made a party by service, their success would have been certain.
3. Jude, from his daily vocation, had actual and almost t immediate knowledge that his vendee had been evicted by the very decree and sale of which his heir now complains.
4. Jude and Remsen had sold to Ellison, and given him a bond to indemnify him against the mortgage to Hunt. Soon after the sale under the foreclosure decree, Ellison was evicted, and Jude and Remsen were sued on their indemnifying bond, suffered a recovery, and Jude paid' his part of the liability.
All these circumstances satisfy my mind that Jude knew of the foreclosure suit, and acquiesced in it. If such was not the case, and he felt himself aggrieved by the decree and sale, he had a clear right to sue out a writ of error; and if the record failed to show service on him, or that he appeared, this court would have reversed the decree, and thus opened the way for his defense. The superior claims of such mode of redress, over that sought by this bill, are too manifest to require argument in support of them. They are the precise reasons which should always incline courts to indulge all reasonable intend-ments in favor of judgments and recoveries when collaterally assailed.
So far from pursuing this course, the parties who now allege the proceedings have all the time been void, acquiesced in this great wrong for thirteen years, — during which time the property was greatly improved. I think I do no injustice to the parties who now seek to redeem,
For the reasons above stated, I concur in the conclusion attained by Judge Walker, that the bill and cross bill should be dismissed.
In conclusion, I hope it may not be considered out of place when I say, I have earnestly sought for every American decision which bears on this question. I have also consulted what I conceive to be reliable English adjudications. I have collated such as I deemed most important, and have cited, in its appropriate place, every decision which I considered sufficiently pertinent to justify its insertion. I have labored to present the cases which militate against my conclusions, as fully as those which support my opinion. I have sometimes omitted cases, which were but a reiteration of other decisions by the same court; and may have pronounced some decisions unimportant which others may consider material. I think my conclusions are supported alike by reason, sound judicial conservatism, and a Marked preponderance of adjudged cases.
Dissenting Opinion
I dissent from both the reasoning and the conclusions of my brother judges, and am in favor of an affirmance of the chancellor’s decree.
