6 Cow. 497 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1826
Bussing was a competent witness. He was discharged from all his debts on the 30th of September, 1822, under the act of1313 ; and it appeared that all the debts, which he owed at the time of his discharge, had been contracted since the passage oí that act. According to the repeated decisions of this court, that discharge was valid, not only as to the person of the insolvent, but as to his future acquisitions. Those decisions, it is true, have been questioned, and cases are now understood to be pending in the supreme court of the United States, in which the unconstitutionality of the whole series of our insolvent laws is broadly maintained. What the decision of that court will be, it is not for us to anticipate ; but until its judgment is pronounced, we are not only authorized, but bound to presume that it will be in accordance with our own.
Bussing released to the plaintiffs all his interest in the surplus of the property assigned, &c. He was properly admitted as a witness.
The instrument of December 20th, 1816, signed by the defendant, contained sufficient evidence of money had and received by him solely, to the use of the plaintiffs, to entitle them to recover, he acknowledged by that instrument, that Crump placed in his hands sufficient property for the indemnification of Bussing, which he was to have applied to that object. But that, instead of this, he converted the property into cash, and appropriated the proceeds to the use and business of the firm of Marquand and Paulding. He also admits, by that instrument, that there is now due to Bussing the sum of $7763,89.
The firm of Marquand and Paulding had two houses; one at New-York, where Marquand resided, and carried on business ; the other at Neio-Orleans, under the direc-ton of Paulding, who resided there. Paulding had no knowledge of any part of the transaction in question. It originated as follows : Reuben Crump, of the firm of Kel-so and Crump, on the 12th of April, 1814, borrowed of Bussing, upon the receommendation, and through the agency of the defendant, 200 shares of the capital stock
New-York, 12iA April, 1814.”
Endorsed thus: “Transfer the within shares to Mr. Abm. Bussing. Isaac Marquand.”
Crump having failed to pay this note, at or about the time when it fell due, gave Marquand an order for a quantity of cotton, sufficient to pay it. He acknowledges that he received it for that purpose, realized the money, and applied it to the use and business of the firm of Marquand and Paulding. The order for the cotton was in favor of Marquand-and Paulding. It was sent to auction in their names, sold on their account, and the proceeds applied to their benefit. But it was all done by Marquand, and under his exclusive direction ; Paulding being in New-Orleans, and knowing nothing of the transaction. The question is, whether Marquand is individually responsible for the amount, which he acknowledges has been received for the benefit of Bussing ; or whether the action should have been brought against the firm of Marquand and Paulding.
There can be no doubt, that in the origin-of this transaction, when Marquand became security to Bussing for the return of the stock borrowed by Crump, he acted in his individual Capacity, and not on behalf of the firm. Crump's note was payable to him individually; and by him individually endorsed or transferred to Bussing. If an action could have been sustained at all upon this guaranty, it must undoubtedly have been brought against Marquand individually, and not against the firm. Crump testifies that when he received the transfer of the stock from Bussing, the defendant alone became security for the retransfer of it; and that the giving of such security, was the individual transaction of the defendant. Bussing also testified that he considered the transaction as with Marquand, the defendant, and not with Marquand and Paulding.
Where one partner borrows money on his individual credit, and afterwards applies it to the payment of partnership debts, or loans it to the firm, it does not entitle the original lender to consider himself a creditor of the firm, and to enforce payment against them. (Exparte Hunter 1 Atk. 223. Parkin v. Carruthers, 3 Esp. Rep. 250, per Le Blanc, J.)
Where one of a firm borrows money, the fact of its being used in the business of the partnership, is, prima facie, evidence that the debt is joint, where no express separate contract was made with the individual partner. (8 Ves. 540. Gow on Partn. 343 to 349.)
I do not consider this case as at all varied by the circumstance, that the order for the cotton was drawn by Crump in favor of the firm, instead of Marquand alone. The consideration for the order, the whole transaction out of which it grew, was an individual one, on the part of Marquand, in which he did not profess, and, indeed, had no authority to act for the firm : and it is worthy of remark, that it is Marquand himself, who denies his individual responsibility ; and not the partnership, seeking to get rid of a claim which might, with some plausibility, have been preferred against them.
The application of the cases cited by the defendant’s counsel, from 15 Mass. Rep. 75 and 331, is not perceived. In those cases the question was, whether Gore was liable as one of the firm of Gore and Grafton, in an action for money had and received under the following circumstances : They were general partners ; and Grafton made a note in the partnership name, payable to Thomas Cush-ing, or order; and forged the endorsement of Cushing, and raised money upon it. The endorsee brought an ac
The exceptions to the charge of the judge are not well taken ; and the mption for a new trial must be denied.
New trial denied.