Swift v. Tross

| N.Y. Sup. Ct. | Feb 15, 1878

Lawrence, J.

I am of the opinion, that the demurrers to the answers of the defendants should he sustained: 1. The charter-party executed by the defendants to the plaintiffs was a distinct and separate contract between them, and not connected with the charter-party entered into between the defendants and the master, on the part of the owners of' the vessel. The former contract contained an agreement that the vessel was seaworthy, and for damages resulting from a breach of such covenant or agreement the defendants are liable to the plaintiffs. I utterly fail to see how the fact that the plaintiffs knew that the defendants had chartered the vessel from the owners alters the status of the parties or releases the defendants from the obligations which, by their charter-party, they voluntarily assumed. It is said, by the learned counsel for the defendants, that the express agreement in the charter-party which is the basis of this action is simply an expression of that which the law would otherwise imply. This is true, but how does that fact alter the rights of the parties ? If nothing had been expressed in the charter-party in reference to the seaworthiness of the vessel, would not the defendants have been liable upon their implied- agréement? Nor can I assent to the position _ that because the charter-party executed by the defendants states that the defendants’ contract was a recharter, that the second charter-party was but an equitable assignment of the first. The second was an independent contract, and while it may have referred to the source of the defendants’ right to make such a contract, and to their special title to the use of the vessel, the defendants cannot avoid their liability for that reason upon a failure to fulfill the covenants and conditions of their contract. 2. Hor do I regard the fact that the plaintiffs have brought an action against the owner of the vessel to recover the same damages which form the subject of this action as a good defense in this case. If it had been alleged that such an action had been prosecuted to judgment against the owner, and that the judgment had been paid, a different feature would be presented. It is possible that a supplementary answer setting forth such payment might then be allowed. But until the alleged damages have been received from or paid by the owner, the fact that an action, has been commenced against him does not appear to constitute a defense to this case. 3. The case of Permoy&r agt. Neff, recently decided by the supreme corn’t of the United States, does not affect this case. Here the parties have appeared. It is contended that they have appeared specially, and that they have, therefore, the right to insist that no personal judgment can be rendered against them, beyond the value of the property which has been attached. The cases cited by the defendants’ counsel certainly do hold that where a non-resident defendant does not appear, after service by publication, and no property has been attached, the court acquires no jurisdiction, and that where property has been attached, and the nonresident defendant does not appear, the proceeding is effectual and binding merely as a proceeding m rem, and is regarded as having no operation beyond the disposition of the property or some interest therein (See opinion of justice Field, in Pennoyer agt. Neff, and cases cited).

Hone of these eases, however, hold that the defendants can specially appear to contest the liability on their part asserted by the plaintiff, and to claim that the court has no jurisdiction over and above the value of the property attached. If the defendants had not appeared and answered, the position of the defendants would be tenable, but they cannot, on an alleged special appearance, obtain all the advantages of contesting their entire indebtedness which would follow from a general appearance, and yet avoid the disadvantages resulting from such appearance.

There should be judgment for the plaintiffs on the demurrer, with costs.