Waite v. Osborne

11 Me. 185 | Me. | 1834

Mellen C. J.

delivered the opinion of the Court.

In the case of Brooks v. Cook, and Barrett as trustee, 8 Mass. 276, the general principle was decided, that “ no person deriving his authority from the law, and obliged to execute it according to the-rules of law, can be bolden by process of this kind.” Barrett, having no property in his hands belonging to Cook, except as administrator of Peter Barrett, was discharged. Though in that case the estate of the intestate was insolvent, yet the Court in their opinion, do not allude to that circumstance as in any manner affecting the general principle. The plaintiff’s counsel contends, that the case before us does not fall within that principle, because, he says, that the trustee holds the money in his hands as an individual in his private capacity and not as administrator. It is said he holds the money wrongfully — that he sold the real estate without license from Court; but he acted, in so doing, with the consent of the heirs of the intestate, and with the proceeds of the sale he has paid all the debts of the deceased, except the demand of the principal defendant; and all the personal estate left, was also delivered to the widow, by the consent of the heirs. What wrong has been done to any one who has any right to complain ? The estate, when left, was abundantly solvent, and the defendant is the only creditor. • The money in question came into the hands of Fowler, by act of law, and not by any agency or consent on the part of the principal debtor : no property has been “ entrusted” and “ deposited” by the principal, in the hands and possession of Fowler. This was used as a strong argument by the Court, in the case of Cheely & al. v. Brewer and trustee, 7 Mass. 259, against charging the trustee, and he was discharged. The money in his hands he held as county treasurer. The case of Wilder v. Bailey and trustee, 3 Mass. 289, was an action in which it was attempted to charge the trustee for moneys in his hands, collected by him as deputy sheriff. In the circumstances of that case he was also discharged. The reason of the law, as laid down in the case of Brooks v. Cook and trustee, is, that it is the duty of an administrator to account with the Judge of Probate for all the property in his possession belonging to the estate; his bond is given to secure all concerned against losses occasioned by his negligence and unfaithfulness in his office. To sustain such actions as these, will tend to delay the settlement of estates, and interrupt the proceedings in the Probate Office. If any of the conduct of the administrator in this case, has been irregular, he stands responsible on his bond. Every thing he has done, he professedly did as administrator, and with the express consent of the heirs. His appropriation of moneys in his hands to pay the defendant’s demand, cannot make any difference ; it was merely an intention on his part neyer executed. We cannot perceive any circumstances in this case, of such a nature as to relieve it from the operation of the general principle established in the case ot Brooks v. Cook and trustee, and several other preceding cases ; and accordingly Fowler cannot be adjudged trustee.

Greenleaf, for the plaintiff. Fessenden and Beblois, for the trustee.

Trustee discharged.