8 Conn. 393 | Conn. | 1831
Lead Opinion
The demurrer was argued on the ground that no express promise existed; but the question presented was, whether the defendants were liable on the implied promise of law arising out of the facts of the case. Three objections were urged to the sufficiency of the declaration.
1. It was said, that the allegations of the poverty and impotency of Flora, were not explicitly stated. It is difficult to see the force of this objection. It is alleged, that she was poor, destitute, and in need of the necessaries of life, and that she had no relations of sufficient ability to support her. These averments are quite sufficient.
2. It is objected, that the town of East-Hartford were not liable for her support, and therefore, they have furnished this support voluntarily, and cannot call on the defendants for a reimbursement of their expenditures. This position is worthy of great consideration, and, if true, is decisive against the plaintiffs’ right of recovery.
Here I would observe, that the counsel, on both sides, insist, that Elisha Pitkin, if living, would be, and his estate since his death, is, liable for the support of this slave. There can be no doubt of this position. It was never doubted, that a master was obliged to support his slave. From the first toleration of
By the statute, title 93. Slavery, it is provided, in the second section, page 428. that in case slaves emancipated, by their masters, come to want, after their emancipation, they shall be supported, by their masters respectively, their heirs, executors or administrators; and on their refusal, the select-men of the town where they belong shall provide for their support; and the town shall be entitled, in a proper action on the case, to recover all the expense of such support from the owners or masters of such slaves, their heirs, executors or administrators. In this case, it is alleged, that Flora, the slave, never was emancipated. She is not, therefore, embraced by this section.
The question then occurs, is she a pauper of the town of East-Hartford? For paupers the select-men are authorized to furnish support. It is believed, that the towns would be very reluctant to admit, that all slaves, who come to want, were of their towns, and could claim support. If indeed a case should arise, where a master and the slave were both poor, impotent and unable to provide for themselves, then the town might be subjected to their support; but that is not this case. Here is no pretence of inability in the representatives of Elisha Pitkin, the defendants' testator. It is, then, precisely like the case, where the town provide for the child of a person of property, and afterwards sue him for reimbursement. Such is not a case provided for, by the statute; and of course, there can be no recovery. There is a binding obligation on the father to support his child until he arrives at twenty-one years of age. This is a duty prescribed by the law of nature. The child, in return, is bound to serve the parent until that period. On the same principle, the master is bound to support the slave, where slavery is tolerated, for the service which the slave is bound to render. The husband is also bound to support the wife, because he is entitled to her service, to her goods and chattels, and to the use of her real estate. These principles rest on the common law. The case before us, then, is one, where the common law obliges the master, if living, and his representatives, when he has deceased, to provide for and support this slave; nor is there any allegation in this declaration of any inability on the part of these executors to furnish this support.
The statute also provides, that it shall be the duty of the select-men to provide for all paupers; but Flora is not a pauper, in the sense of the statute; for we have seen, that the estate of her master is liable for her support. As well might it be said, that a wife, who was cast off, by her husband, or that a child turned out of doors destitute, by his father, are paupers of the town where they belong. The principle adopted, by this Court, in Newtown v. Danbury, 3 Conn. Rep. 553. is in point. There the counsel for the town of Danbury, contended, that the town could not be liable for the support of a wife, if her husband was of sufficient ability; and the superior court adopted the idea, and submitted to the jury the question whether his property or responsibility was such, that she could be deemed a pauper; and this opinion was sanctioned by this Court.
There is another case, where a town is obliged to support a person destitute, and where an action is provided for a reimbursement of the expense. That is where an inhabitant of one town becomes destitute in another town, the select-men of the latter may furnish the necessary support, and by a compliance with certain requisites of the statute, may recover the amount of the expenditures in an action against the town to which the pauper belongs.
It is also by statute made the duty of certain persons standing in the relation of father and mother, grand-father and grand-mother, children and grand-children, when of sufficient ability, to provide for their relations within those degrees, who are poor, impotent and unable to provide for themselves; and in case of refusal, the select-men, or one or more of the relations, may make application to the county court, who shall order such support in the manner pointed out. But this statute is not retrospective; it does not provide for a reimbursement of any expenses already incurred. Wethersfield v. Montague
If these views are correct, it is unnecessary to consider the third point.
Concurrence Opinion
1. I concur in the opinion of my Brother Daggett, on the first point, that being poor, destitute, in want of food, clothing, medicine and attention, and without ability to support her, is a sufficient averment of Flora’s inability to provide for herself: if not, it is owing to the poverty of the English language, which Camden says, “ is as copious, pithy and significative as any other in Europe.” Bailey’s Dict. Introduct.
2. I also concur in the result of his opinion on the second point; but not for the reasons by him assigned. The relation of master and servant, or qualified slavery, has existed in Connecticut from time immemorial; and has been tolerated, (not sanctioned,) by the legislature. But absolute slavery, where the master has unlimited power over the life of his slave, has never been permitted in this state. 2 Swift’s Syst. 348. 1 Bla. Comm. 448. Flora was the slave and personal property of Elisha Pitkin, at the time of his death; and I regret, that I cannot authoritatively adopt the language of an English judge: “A negro is a man; and a man may be the owner, but cannot be the subject, of property.” Vid. Smith v. Brown & al. 2 Salk. 666. Upon the death of her master, Flora, not being specifically devised, was transferred to the defendants, and being a chattel, vested in them; for the personal estate of a deceased testator vests absolutely in his executors. Dighton v. Freetown, 4 Mass. Rep. 539. Sumner v. Williams, 8 Mass. Rep. 198. per Sewall, J. They alone could sell her; they became her masters, and she their slave; and they alone were to maintain her, until she was distributed to his heirs or legatees; and this obligation followed the right of property upon every transfer.
From the facts stated in this declaration, it is apparent, that Flora was a pauper. Was she a pauper of East-Hartford? Elisha Pitkin was settled there; and her settlement followed his. Dighton v. Freetown, 4 Mass. Rep. 539. Winchendon v.
But it is said, that this case is precisely like the one where the town provides for the wife and child of a man of property, and afterwards sues him for reimbursement; which is not a case provided for by statute, and of course there can be no re
3. When an executor covenants or promises, he binds himself personally, and not the heirs or estate of his testator. In Wheeler v. Collier, Cro. Eliz. 406. the baron of the defendant owed the plaintiff 50l. for beer, and died intestate; and administration was committed to her. Afterwards, the defendant, in consideration that the plaintiff would deliver to her six barrels of beer, assumed to pay the plaintiff, as well the 50l. due by the intestate, as for the six barrels delivered to herself. After verdict for the plaintiff and entire damages, it was moved in arrest, that the plaintiff should not recover, because for the intestate’s debt judgment should be against the defendant de bonis intestati, and for the beer delivered to her, de bonis propriis. The court said: “This action is brought against her of her own assumpsit. The judgment shall be general, in both cases, de bonis propriis; for it is a charge by her own act. And here, by her assumpsit as administratrix, it is become her own proper debt, as if she had entered into
Thus has stood the law for nearly three centuries; and has been twice recently recognized by this Court; and will probably stand three centuries more, notwithstanding the late attempts of an English court to shake the authorities on this subject, though it had not the courage to overrule them. This was in Ashby v. Ashby & al. 1 Mann. & Ryl. 180. (17 Serg. Lowb. 235.) That was an action of assumpsit against the defendants as executors. The declaration contained four counts, all framed precisely like those in Rose & ux. v. Bowler & al.; which was adjudged ill, on demurrer. The court decided, that a count charging the defendants personally, could not be joined with one charging them in autre droit. In coming to this conclusion, Lord Tenter den said: “It is not necessary to come to any conclusion on the first count. The authorities shewing that the second count cannot be joined with the third, are so numerous and decisive, that I find it impossible to get over them.”
I would advise the superior court, that the declaration is insufficient.
If under the demurrer in this case an actual promise might be presumed, yet this has not been claimed. On the contrary, the plaintiffs have expressly admitted, that the question to be settled is, whether on these facts the law will imply a promise.
That slavery has existed in this state, cannot be denied; and a few solitary cases still exist to attest to the melancholy truth. And yet it has been contended, by the counsel on the part of the defendants, that our law imposes no duty on the master to support his slave; in support of which is cited the statute making the owner, his heirs, executors, &c. liable for the support of slaves manumitted under certain circumstances. It is certainly true, that that statute applies only to the case of manumitted slaves; but that it does not therefore follow, that the master was not liable before that statute for the support of slaves not manumitted. The objection resulted from the very nature of the relation. The man who had a right to all the time and services and even offspring of his unhappy slave, must, of course, be bound to maintain him. And we might as well look into the statute book, to find the duty created, which binds a husband to maintain his wife, or a parent his infant
Are not his representatives equally bound? This has not been directly questioned. It is, however, claimed, that his heirs, not his executors, are bound. Kingsbury v. Tolland, 2 Root, 355. That case, be it remarked, arose under the statute before alluded to, as to the mode of supporting slaves, that were manumitted by their owner; and the court say, that the heir, to whom the slave would have belonged, if it had not been manumitted, and not the executor, is liable. Whether that decision was founded on the words of that statute or not, does not appear. It was, however, but a decision of the superior court; of course, not binding upon this Court.
If it be said, that the executor is not liable for debts accruing after the death of the testator, it is answered, that where the demand arises from an obligation existing upon the testator in his life, the executor may be liable; as where the testator has entered into covenants to warrant land, and the covenants are not broken until after his death; (Booth v. Starr, 5 Day, 275. Griswold v. Bigelow, 6 Conn. Rep. 258.) or where he has entered into covenants relative to premises demised, and after his death, those covenants are broken, by an assignee, or by the executor. Wilson v. Wigg & al. 10 East, 313. In those cases, as well as in this, the demand arises only upon the breach, which there, as well as here, accrues after the death of the testator; but in both cases, it is founded upon an obligation previously existing,—there upon the bond or deed,—here upon the duty imposed from the relation of master and servant. The defendants, then, as representatives of Elisha Pitkin, are liable for the support of this slave.
Another view may be taken of this subject. Upon the death of Elisha Pitkin, this slave did not vest in the heirs, but being personal property, was assets in the hands of the executor.
It may be said, that if the defendants are owners, they cannot be sued as executors. On this subject I know the English cases have gone a great way. But when I find such a judge as Bayley saying, that he reluctantly submitted to those cases, but could not see the reason of them, and Lord Tenterden doubting them, as in Ashby v. Ashby, 1 Mann. & Ryl. 180. (17 Serg. & Lowb. 235.) I am not disposed to apply them to a case like this. When therefore, it appears, that these defendants are owners only as representing this estate, and that what they pay must be paid from the estate, and is due from them only because they represent the estate, I think, that we are not bound, on this state of the pleading, to say, that they are not liable as executors, even if they might have been personally sued.
It was also objected, that it is not shewn, that the executors had assets. That allegation is never made, in ordinary suits against executors,—e. g. on promissory notes given by the testator. Our law infers the duty of the executor to pay the demands against the estate from the fact that he is executor; and it is for him to shew how he is exempted from that liability.
The executors, then, having neglected their duty, was the town in which this woman resided, bound to support her? It is said, that it did not appear but she could support herself. But it does appear, that she was poor and destitute; in want of food, and clothing and medicine; that she was a slave, whose earnings were not her own; and that she had no relations of ability to support her. Our statute directs, that “all poor and impotent persons, who have not estate sufficient for their support, and have no relations of sufficient ability, who are obliged by law to support them, shall be provided for and supported by the town,” &c. Stat. 370. tit. 73. s. 2. It is the intention of our poor laws, that no one shall be left to starve. These facts being admitted, this woman must be relieved, by the town where she was, or starve.
Again, it is said, that there were those, whose duty it was to relieve her. Was it proper for the select-men of East-Hartford to suffer her to remain in this situation, until those whose duty it was, voluntarily came forward, and were legally com
It is said again, that she is not a pauper within the statute, if she has relations who are of sufficient ability and are bound to maintain her. Such a construction must be given to this statute as will carry into effect its spirit as well as its letter. The persons intended must be those who cannot command assistance from their own resources, or from those who are bound to assist them, in time to prevent extreme suffering. Thus, if a husband turns his wife out of doors, without cause, under such circumstances that she cannot obtain credit for immediate subsistence, it seems to me, the select-men of the town are bound to provide for her. And the case of Newtown v. Danbury, in my opinion, supports this position. There, the wife of Clark, who was an inhabitant of Danbury, being destitute and deranged, wandered into the town of Newtown, and was assisted by the select-men of that town. In a suit against the town of Danbury, for the supplies, the defendants claimed, that Clark was of sufficient ability to support his wife. But the judge instructed the jury, that the real question was, whether she needed the assistance rendered within the meaning of the law; and in determining that question, it was competent for the jury to consider the situation of the husband as to property, his responsibility and the probability or possibility of her necessities being supplied upon his credit. He did not place it merely upon his ability to support his wife. I know, that the Chief Justice, in giving the opinion of the Court, affirming that judgment, says, that the jury, upon this charge, must have found, that the husband had neither property nor credit. But if it was necessary that the jury should find, that the husband was destitute of property, then the charge could not have been correct; for the judge told them, that they might not only consider the ability of the husband, but the probability or possibility of her necessities being supplied upon his credit. If proof of the husband’s property or ability was enough to defeat the suit, the jury must have been told, that if that fact was found, they need make no other inquiries, but must find for the defendants. But as the husband’s property might be real estate, or covered with mortgages or attach
Again, it is said, that if the town of East-Hartford were bound to relieve this woman as a pauper, they can have no remedy; that in no case can a town recover for the relief of a pauper, except in the single case of a town that has relieved the wants of an inhabitant of another town; and that this depends upon statute. Should it be admitted, that a town can have no relief against the pauper himself for supplies furnished him under the law requiring that support, it would not decide this case. Here the owner of the slave is primarily liable; and it is only his neglect of duty, which makes the defendants liable at all; and it is admitted, that in consequence of that neglect, the defendants would be responsible to any individual, who supplied the necessities of the slave. To me no reason appears why those who have received the benefit of those supplies, should not be responsible to the town which has furnished them, as well as to the individuals, who may have done the same thing. The same benefit has been received. Why, then, does not the same liability exist? It seems strange to say, that if one, prompted by motives of humanity, does an act, which it is my duty to do, he may call upon me, upon an implied promise; but if, in addition to the former motive, another is added—that the law requires it—no promise can be implied.
It does not follow of course, because our statute has in one
It has been decided, I admit, that if a town claim that certain relations pointed out in the statute shall support their poor relations, application must be made founded upon that statute; because the statute directs how the ability shall be tried, and how the proportions between different relatives shall be settled.
Upon the whole, then, it being the duty of these executors to provide for the support of this slave; and they having neglected their duty; and the plaintiffs having done the act on which their claim is founded, as it devolved on them in consequence of the neglect of the defendants only; I consider them standing in a relation to the defendants somewhat like sureties; and I see not why the defendants should not be responsible to them, for an act, which, as their sureties, they were bound to perform, in consequence of the neglect of the principal. By the principles of natural justice, they are bound to refund; and I am not satisfied, that any technical rule of law can be interposed to prevent it.
My opinion, therefore, is, that the declaration is sufficient.
Declaration insufficient.