Case ID: mass_90/html/0206-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hoar, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Thomas Eastman vs. Nathan Crosby.
    A payment of corporate debts by a stockholder in a foreign corporation will be deemed to have been voluntary, in the absence of proof that he was legally liable therefor.
    Contract. The declaration set forth that in February 1853 the plaintiff, the defendant, J. C. Dodge and Alanson Tucker, Jr. were the owners of the shares of the Belknap Manufacturing Company, a corporation established in New Hampshire; that they then agreed in writing that the plaintiff and the defendant should take the mill property “ and pay the debts; ” that after-wards, in September of that year, the defendant purchased of the plaintiff all of the shares, and agreed in writing with the plaintiff “ to hold him harmless from the payment of any and all debts and liabilities of said company ; ” that the corporation was indebted to one Melcher, who commenced an action and recovered judgment against them, and levied his execution upon property of Tucker; that, to avoid a suit by Tucker, the plaintiff Ir s paid to him the amount for which his property was taken; and that the defendant has refused to reimburse him therefor, though requested.
    At the trial in the superior court, before Morton, J., the plaintiff introduced in evidence the above agreements, and proved the recovery of the judgment by Melcher and the levy of his execution, together with the payment to Tucker by himself, as alleged, and rested.; and thereupon the judge ruled that the payment by the plaintiff was in law voluntary, and that he could not recover in this action. The jury accordingly returned a verdict for the defendant, and the plaintiff alleged exceptions.
    
      R. B. Gaverly, for the plaintiff.
    
      T. H. Sweetser, for the defendant.
   Hoar, J.

There are not facts enough reported in this bill of exceptions to show that, by the laws of New Hampshire, Tucker and Dodge were liable to pay this debt, or that Eastman was liable to pay it to them. Such may have been the fact; but it is for the party excepting to cause such facts to appear in evidence, and to be reported in the bill of exceptions, as will show that the ruling at the trial was wrong, if he expects to avail himself of them No judgment was recovered against Tucker, and the evidence does not show that he was liable for the debt of the Belknap Company, or that the execution against the company could be lawfully levied upon his land. This court do not take official cognizance of the laws of other states, and they are to be proved as facts by parties who rely upon them.

It not appearing that Tucker was bound to pay the debt to Melcher, or liable for it in any manner, there is nothing to show that he had any lawful claim against Eastman, or that Eastman’s payment to him was not voluntary.

Exceptions overruled.