Case Name: A. Champlin against T. C. Butler
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1820-08
Citations: 18 Johns. 169
Docket Number: 
Parties: A. Champlin against T. C. Butler.
Judges: 
Reporter: Johnson's Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 169–174

Head Matter:
A. Champlin against T. C. Butler.
in an action of ahsh!p?Sfor against theSde’-owner,*’ and absoiute'bin'of ter of the sSip, in his own «ame, the defendant may prove by* parol that the bill of sale was given as ^collateral wa^o?’morí
rnort„a. 5ee of a ship, m possession, «liable to the master, for his wages, if the voyage be per* formed for the mortgagee.
theBu* master agreementSto al "ufe^'reai-owner or mort-sec°et agreement between iif«and the de-bad3no in-voyage,m but nTme't^cove? the^inSÍi f°f a"eCewin'’ any freight 01 profit, the plaintiff was held bound by his special agreement, and could not waive it, and sue the defendant as owner.
Where there is an express contract for a stipulated amount and mode of compensation for services-, the party rendering the services cannot waive the contract, and resort to an action for a meruit^ on an implied assumpsit.
ASSUMPSIT on a quantum meruit, for the wages of the plaintiff, as master of the ship Lion, on a voyage from New-York to Canton and back to New-York ; and for the wages of his apprentice during the same voyage. The defendant pleaded non assumpsit, with notice of set off. The cause was tried at the New- York sittings, in April, 1819, before Mr. Justice Yales.
The plaintiff produced a formal and absolute bill of sale * t 1 of the ship from Minium &r Champlin to the defendant, for - .. . . . . *■ . . . ... the consideration or 30,000 dollars, without date, but which was proved to have been executed about the 20lh of Decern• her, 1815; — an affidavit made the 22d of December, 1815, by the defendant, before the deputy collector of the customs, by which he made oath that he was the true and only own-J J -the register of the ship of the same ° r -the USUal letter of instructions from the defendant, as owner, to the plaintiff as master, when about to sail on the voyage, dated December 20, 1815 : — also, a letter dated February 24,1817, from the defendant to the plaintiff, on the arrival of the ship off the port of New-York, on her return from Canton, directing in what manner he should report the ship and cargo in er of the said ship date, stating the defendant to be the sole owner ;- his manifest. The plaintiff also proved, that he had performed the voyage as master of the ship : that previous to t i i i r w*. 1 „ _ the voyage to Canton, she was owned by Minium Champ-lin, and had arrived from Gollenburgh, under the command of the plaintiff, who took charge as master for the voyage to Canton on the 23d of November, 1815; and on the 20th of December, 1815, signed the following contract: “I have this day agreed with Minturn & Champlin to take charge of the ship Lion, as master, for one hundred dollars a month, ancj seven tong privilege.”
The defendant offered to prove by parol, that the bill of sale from M. & C. to him was intended merely as a mortgage. The evidence was objected to, but admitted by the judge, reserving the question for the Court. The witness testified, that the bill of sale, though absolute in terms, was intended to be a security merely, by way of mortgage, to the defendant, for responsibilities he had entered into for M. & C. to a large amount, particularly as surety for them on bonds at the Custom House, and for advances made to M. & C. That M. & C. being in embarrassed circumstances, the ship was fitted out for the voyage, and the arrangement entered into with the defendant, in the expectation of relieving themselves from their difficulties; and also, to prevent the ship and cargo from being attached by creditors in foreign ports; that the defendant had no interest in the ship or cargo, either as to profit or loss, which might accrue on the voyage; and agreed with M. & C. that they should have the exclusive control of the ship for the voyage, and they put on board 110,000 dollars, to purchase a cargo, on their own account, which were shipped in the name of the defendant; that M. & C. wrote the letter of instructions to the plaintiff, which was signed by the defendant, who had policies of insurance effected on the ship and cargo, for whomsoever it might concern, and gave his notes for the premium. That the plaintiff, before he sailed, was fully informed of the arrangements between M. & C. and the defendant, for covering the vessel and cargo by the defendant’s name ; and that M. & C. owned the cargo, and had paid all the advances for the ship, and were to pay the seamens’ wages ; that when the ship sailed from Sandy Hook on her voyage out, the plaintiff, as master, gave an order on M. & C. to pay the pilotage, which was accordingly paid by them. That on the return of the ship to New-York, M. & C. paid off the crew, and requested the ■plaintiff to present his bill, which he accordingly gave to them, dated the 12th of May, 1817, making them debtors to him for the amount. That M. & C. on the 13th of May, paid him 500 dollars, leaving a balance due to him of 957 dollars and 37 cents which remained unpaid. ThatM.&C.in October following, were discharged under the insolvent act.
The defendant objected, that the plaintiff having shown a special agreement for wages, could not recover in this action, on the general count for a quantum meruit; hut the Judge reserved the question, and directed the jury to find a verdict for the whole sum, and they, accordingly, found a verdict for the plaintiff for 1,091 dollars and 94 cents, subject to the opinion of the Court on the whole case, which either party was to be at liberty to turn into a bill of exceptions.
Antlion, for the plaintiff, contended,
1. That the evidence in the case fully proved, that the defendant was the owner of the ship; and that the register itself was conclusive as to that fact, in this case. (14 East, 230. 2 Campb. JY. P. Rep. 170. 2 Taunt. Rep. 5. 14 Johns, Rep. 201. 15 Johns, Rep. 303.) The defendant cannot be permitted to contradict his own solemn act and oath. But, it will be said, that the bill of sale, though absolute on the face of it, was in fact a mortgage; but after the full evidence of absolute ownership, can the defendant prove by parol, that the transfer was by way of a mortgage ? As between the parties, they must be concluded by the written documents, and are not at liberty to gainsay the fact as to the defendant being the owner. (Phillips’ Evidence, 423. 3 Wils. 275. 8 Mass. Rep. 517.) In the case of Robinson & others v. M‘Donell, (2 Aid. & Barn. Rep. 136.) which was perfectly analagous, it was held that, as between the parties, the absolute bill of sale was binding, and that the parol agreement could not be set up in contradiction to it. 2. But, admitting the evidence, it shows, that the defendant was a mortgagee in possession, exercising every possible act of ownership in relation to the ship ; and, as such mortgagee in possession, he is liable for the wages of the master and mariners.
3. The defendant took the ship subject to all existing in» cumbrances on her, and to all contracts made by the owners and master, previous to the transfer. (Portland Bank v. Stubbs, 6 Mass. Rep. 422.)
D. B. Ogden, contra.
If the plaintiff had sued M and C.5 he must have brought his action on the express agree» ment, or have been nonsuited. He never could recover On the quantum meruit. Admitting that the defendant, after-wards, became the owner, may he not say to the plaintiff’, “ you must look to M. & C., with whom you made your special contract.” Can the plaintiff-, then, recover against the defendant on an implied assumpsit ? The law will not imply a promise to pay, .against the clear and manifest equity of the case. The plaintiff, before he entered into his engagement, as master, had full knowledge of the transaction between M. & C. and the defendant, and that the latter had no interest whatever in the vessel or voyage. It would, therefore, be unjust to permit him to recover against the defendant. After the voyage, the plaintiff made out his bill against M. & C., and received- a part from them; and did not call on the defendant, until he had parted with the property, and M. & 0. had become insolvent.
It is true, that as between the parties themselves, to a written instrument, parol evidence is not admissible to vary it; but this rule does not apply to third persons, where the object is to show the true nature of the transaction.
If the defendant was a mortgagee, he was the legal owner; and his oath, at the custom house, was not inconsistent with the fact. Besides, the oath is merely that he, an American citizen, and not a subject of any foreign state, has the property in the ship; not but that some other American citizen may also have an interest.
T. A. Emmet,
in reply, said, that as to the equity of the case, the defendant had the vessel as collateral security, and had been benefitted by the services of the defendant as master. Suppose the plaintiff had been guilty of misconduct as master, so as to render himself liable to the owner, who would have had the right to maintain an action against him? The defendant. He ought, then, to compensate him for the services which he has faithfully performed. The privily of contract between the plaintiff and defendant, is sufficient in law to raise the implied assumpsit. The defendant having made oath that he was the owner, he ought to be held to all the consequences of ownership.

Opinion:
Platt, J.
delivered the opinion of the Court. I see nothing to support the first objection, (as between these parties,) viz. that parol evidence should not be allowed, to prove that the bill of sale, absolute in terms, was, in fact, to operate as a mortgage merely. But whether the defendant be considered as an absolute purchaser, or as a mortgagee in possession, would, in my judgment, be immaterial, provided there was an actual contract of hiring between him and the plaintiff; and in either case, the relation of owner and master would exist, so as to support the claim of wages, if the voyage was performed for the use of the defendant.
What character the transaction might bear, as between the defendant, and the creditors of Minturn & Champlin, whom it was intended to deceive, is not now a question. The plaintiff was privy to the whole arrangement. He lent himself, throughout, as a willing instrument to effectuate the secret agreement between Minturn & Champlin, and the defendant. He was, in fact, a party to that agreement, and stipulated, in writing, with Minturn & Champlin, for his reward, viz. 100 dollars per month, and seven tons privilege. That contract shows, that he undertook the voyage with a clear understanding, that he was to look to them for his wages. It is proved, also, by the supercargo, that the plaintiff used his privilege of seven tons, in conformity to that agreement. It seems to me, therefore, to be utterly inadmissible, that he should now, since the insolvency of his real employers, be permitted to turn round and say, " the defendant was ostensible owner, and, therefore, he must pay me wages, although it was known to me, that he had no interest in the voyage, and it was expressly agreed, that I should look to Minturn & Champlin for my compensation.5'
The plaintiff is bound by his express contract, and cannot waive it by electing to sue the owner, when it appears, that he knew that Minturn & Champlin were the real shippers, and that the defendant merely lent his ship, and his name, to cover a voyage for their exclusive benefit, and without any claim for freight on hk part.
On the merits, therefore, I think the plaintiff is not entitled to recover. But the objection to the form of action, seems to me, also, to be well founded. Here being an ex press contract for a stipulated amount and mode of compensation for the services rendered, viz. " 100 dollars per month, and seven tons privilege," the defendant cannot waive it, and insist on a quantum meruit.
The defendant is, therefore, entitled to judgment.
Judgment for the defendant.