Case Name: Samuel Semple et al. vs. Anthony McGatagan et al.
Court: High Court of Errors and Appeals of Mississippi
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1848-01
Citations: 10 S. & M. 98
Docket Number: 
Parties: Samuel Semple et al. vs. Anthony McGatagan et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Mississippi Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 98–99

Head Matter:
Samuel Semple et al. vs. Anthony McGatagan et al.
Where there was a complete defence at law, which by the use of ordinary diligence and precaution might have there been made available, the court of chancery will not interfere to grant relief.
Where, therefore, the defendants in a judgment at law, sought relief in equity against the judgment, on the ground that it was based on a contract with the plaintiff to pay him. the sum sued for, for his services as teacher, with the understanding, that what he received from day scholars was to be deducted from the amount they were to pay ; and that they had not been able until after the judgment at law to find the list of scholars who had paid, but they had since found it, and the sum received on it, exceeded the debt they were to pay ; it was held, that they were not entitled to any relief against the judgment.
A decree dismissing a bill which shows no ground of relief, is not erroneous, though it be rendered before the principal defendant has answered, or any steps taken against him.
Appeal from the vice-chancery court at Carrollton; Hon. Henry Dickinson, vice-chancellor. x
The facts are sufficiently stated in the opinion of the court.
Irl. W. Brown, for appellant.
Brooke, for appellee.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice ThacheR
delivered the opinion of the court.
In the district chancery court, Semple and others filed their bill, charging that MeGatagan, for the use of Wren, recovered a judgment at law against them, upon their agreement to secure MeGatagan the sum of $800, for his services as a teacher of youth for the term of one year, which judgment they after-wards merged in a judgment upon their forthcoming bond in the same case; and further charging that their agreement was given upon the condition that MeGatagan, should use diligence to collect the amount of money, secured by a subscription list for the purpose, and credit it with tuition-money, received from certain day scholars, and charging that they were unable to procure said list until after the rendition of the judgment upon the forthcoming bond, and which they allege shows a payment of more than the amount of the judgment procured against them. Upon the allowance of a demurrer in the district chancery court, an appeal was taken to the superio'r court of chancery, when that decree was reversed. Subsequently, the complainants received a decree in the district chancery court upon the bill, and the answer of Wren, dissolving the injunction of the judgment at law, and dismissing the bill.
The facts show, that there was a complete defence at law in this case, and that by the use of ordinary diligence and precaution, that defence could have been made available upon the trial of the suit founded upon the agreement. The rule is imperative, that relief in chancery will be refused in such a state of cáse.
The complainant allowed the. decree to be taken, while no answer or pro confesso had been taken against MeGatagan. But if MeGatagan had answered, confessing the allegations of the bill, the result must have been the same, because the bill does not present a case demanding the relief. i
Decree affirmed.