30 Miss. 583 | Miss. | 1856
delivered the opinion of the court.
The appellant filed his bill in the Superior Court of Chancery, stating, in substance, that his father, William L. Richards, died in the year 1833, seised of certain town lots in Yazoo City, and
The object of the bill is to enjoin the apjjellee from setting up the title acquired by him under the tax sale, as a defence in this action of ejectment, or from relying on the title derived therefrom.
The appellee demurred^to this bill, and the demurrer was overruled. He then answered, denying all fraud or knowledge of Hamer’s purchase, until after the tax deed became mature and absolute.
The subsequent pleadings show that the sisters of William L. Bichards claimed title to the property under his will, and in virtue of a partition, made by decree in chancery, between the sisters and the appellant, then a minor, and a third party, who was a tenant in common with the testator; and these facts are relied on by the appellee as a protection to his title.
It appears by the pleadings, that Emmons and wife claimed title to the lots, under the will of William L. Richards and the decree of partition; and that, while they were in possession under that claim, they conveyed to Patterson for a valuable consideration. This bill alleges that this was done by Emmons and wife to defraud the appellant; but it is not alleged nor shown, that Patterson participated in the alleged fraudulent purpose, nor but that it was a fair and bond fide purchase on his part, under the belief that he was obtaining a good title. It appears that the tax sale was made before Patterson purchased; and, therefore, whatever of wrong there might have been in the failure of Emmons and wife to pay the taxes, and in permitting the property to be sold to pay them, it could not attach to him. Patterson alleges that he did not know of the tax sale, until after the title to Hamer under it had become absolute; and there is no proof to the contrary of this. Of course, it was neither his duty, nor within his power, to redeem the property from the tax sale.
Thus far, there is nothing shown to entitle the appellant to relief in equity against Patterson.
But the object of the bill is to secure to the appellant the benefit of the right to redeem, on the ground that he was a minor when the property was sold, and that he offered to redeem within twelve months after he became of full age. This right is claimed under the 15th section of the Revenue Act of 1822, (Hutch. Code, 172,) and the appellant was clearly entitled to exercise it, unless that act is abrogated by subsequent acts of the legislature.
It is to be observed that, that act is not expressly repealed by any subsequent statute, and especially by the 27th section of the act of 1846. Hutch. Code, 190. The latter act makes provisions touching the same subject-matter embraced in the act of 1822, but omitting any reference to the right of redemption by minors. There is, therefore, not a necessary repugnancy between the two statutes in this respect; and it must be intended that the legislature, in enacting the latter statute, were satisfied with the provision of the former statute upon the subject, and intended to
The evidence shows that the appellant had offered to comply with the conditions of redemption, and within the time prescribed by the act of 1822, and the bill also tenders performance of the same conditions ; and we think that the appellant was entitled to the relief sought.
The rights of Patterson, under his purchase from Emmons and wife;, have been much discussed here; but that matter is not within the scope of this bill, and we are not therefore called upon to pronounce any opinion in relation to the will of the appellant’s father, or the rights which passed under it. Those questions may properly arise in the action of ejectment, and are not in any wise to be affected by this decision.
The decree of the chancellor is reversed, and a decree ordered here for the appellant; but under the circumstances of the case, we think it proper that the appellant should pay the costs; which is ordered accordingly.