49 Barb. 536 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1867
The judge was right at the circuit, I think, in holding that the • plaintiff had no valid title to the property in question, as against a judgment creditor of Campbell.
The plaintiff, by his complaint, claims title as trustee for the benefit of the creditors of Andrew Campbell. The only evidence of title is derived from the written instrument of May 24, 1860, between Merritt of the first part, Campbell of the second part, and Benton, the plaintiff, of the third part. The interests of Merritt and Campbell. can be there ascertained, as they claim them to have existed ; and .that claim is affirmed by the plaintiff as a party thereto, and also by his introduction of the instrument in evidence. By the recitals thereof Merritt claims to own only the property mentioned in schedule A and to have liens by way of mortgage on other personal property of Campbell. The property mentioned in schedule A consisted of presses, and is not affected by this action; while that covered by the mortgage liens'embraces the subject of this controversy. By the first article of the instrument Merritt relinquishes and quit-claims to Benton all the property embraced under the liens of the mortgages, “ except such as are mentioned in schedule B.” That schedule appears to contain many similar articles to those mentioned in the schedule attached to the answer—the complaint describes the property only in a very general manner. Their identity appears not to be in dispute.
The legal title, subject to the lien of the mortgages to Merritt, was in Campbell at the time of the execution of the said instrument, and the trusts therein mentioned must be regarded as having been created or granted by him. There was no occasion for Campbell to be united as a party to the instrument, except for the purpose of conveying to the plaintiff Benton, the legal title to the property, and vesting in him the trusts therein contained for the benefit of creditors, with a resulting interest in himself upon their payment.
The provisions of the trust are clearly void as against the creditors of Campbell. The learned counsel for the plaintiff has not attempted to vindicate them, but places the right of Benton to recover upon a title supposed to be derived from Merritt as the owner of the property at the time
The judgment must be affirmed, with costs.
Leanard, Geo. G. Barnard and Clerke, Justices.]