Case ID: mo_12/html/0379-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Napton", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

COOK vs. CLIPPARD.
    Tho purchaser of a slave from a borrower who liaá had five years possession, withoiitany demand being made, and without the execution of any instrument of writing, can hold the slave against the’ bailor, altliough at the time of the purchase he has full knowledge of tho. circumstances of the title.
    ERROR TO ST. LOUIS CIRCUIT COURT.
    Gamrl-e & Bates, for plaintiffs in error»-
    1st. The object of our statute (R. C. frauduleut conveyances see; 5) is not to transfer tho property of one man to another, arbitrarily and without right; but to prevent injury to fair ^urchááers and creditors, by the fraudulent covering up of property. 4 Mass, Rep. 637.
    2nd. In jJofrit of law$ tho sfttvo belonged' tó N. Cook, the plaintiff, at the time of the sale from young Gook to' English. 8 Mó. Rep. 522. And Engl'ish-, knowing tho circumstances, and the state of the title, cannot set up bis own volunteer act, as a ground of charging fraud against the elder Cook, and so, of depriving him of his property. And Clippard is in the same condition.
    Géy'er & Dayton, for defendant iñ error»
    The act to prevent frauds’, R. C. Í835, p. 283 sec. 5, declares Shat where any slave shall bo pretended tb’ have been loaned tV> any person, with whom, or those'claiming under him, possession shall have remained for the space of five years, without demahd made and pursued by due process of law on the part of the pretended lender, the same shall be taken as to all creditors and purchasers of tho persons so remaining in possession to be void, and that the absolute property is with the possession,- unless such loan was’declared by will or deed hi writing proved, or acknowledged and recorded. Tho case at hat- is within the letter of tho act, and will it avail tho plaintiff to prove that the purchaser lias notice of tito loan. Tho act' obviously intends to shut out all questions of notice, and place the title with tho possessor. Such has boon ibe uniform interpretation of similar acts in other States. Gay vs, Moseley 2 Munf. 543; 5 lb. 101; 2 Bibb 244; 4 Yergcr 376; 3 lb. 39.
   Judge Napton

delivered the opinion of the court»

This was an action of detinue brought by the plaintiff to recover the possession of a slave. The plaintiff had permitted his son to take possession of the slave, as a loan, and this possession by the son had continued for more than five years, without any demand being made, and without the execution of any instrument of writing. Under these circumstances the son sold the slave to one T. B. English, who again sold her to the defendant; but both defendant and English, at the time of their respective purchases, were acquainted with the true state of the title. These facts appearing upon the trial, the court was of opinion that the title of the defendant was good, notwithstanding his knowledge of the fact that the slave was put into possession of the son by the father, not as a gift, but as a loan, and so instructed the jury. The defendant had a verdict and judgment.

The only question is, whether under the 5th section of our statute of fraud a purchaser is precluded from the benefit of its provisions by having notice of the loan. The statute contains no express provision in relation to notice. It declares that the absolute property shall be taken to be with the possession, so far as creditors and purchasers are concerned, where the loan has continued for more than five years, unless it has been evidenced by writing. The case is then without the letter of the law, and although no false credit is obtained where the loan is notorious, yet it is obviously the policy of the act to prevent perjury as well as fraud, and with this view to exclude all questions of notice. The object of notice could not have escaped the observation of the Legislature, as it is provided for in other sections of the same statute, and we can only infer from its omission in this section, that the loan is to be regarded as a pretended one, whever it has continued beyond the period fixed and without the formalities prescribed, whether the creditor or purchaser has knowledge of the circumstances or not. The question of notice is an embarrassing one, at least, and the policy of so qualifying the statute in any case, is questionable. It would seem to be, therefore, entirely beyond the scope of judicial construction to modify the statute by its insertion in this provision, however expedient such modification might be thought.

The other judges concurring, the judgment is affirmed.