Case Name: Harrison H. Reed et al. v. Nelson W. Northrup, executor
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1883-04-25
Citations: 50 Mich. 442
Docket Number: 
Parties: Harrison H. Reed et al. v. Nelson W. Northrup, executor
Judges: The other Justices concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 50
Pages: 442–443

Head Matter:
Harrison H. Reed et al. v. Nelson W. Northrup, executor
Liability as agent for collection — Judgment against surety.
A man bought an interest of $600 in a mortgage for $1000, and agreed that in case of its prompt payment, when due, he would pay his assignor $400 and interest. But the mortgager refused to pay it unless $200 was deducted and it appeared that the property was only good for $800 and that the deficiency could not be collected. The assignee accordingly accounted for only $200. Held, in a suit for the rest of the $400, that he was no more than a collecting agent for plaintiff and that he had discharged his obligation.
Judgment cannot be rendered in the circuit court against a surety upon an appeal from the decision of commissioners on claims against an estate.
Error to Kent. (Montgomery, J.)
April 18.
April 25.
Appeal from disallowance of claim against estate. Claimant brings error.
Affirmed in part.
John C. Quinsey and H. J. Felker for appellant.
Summary judgment cannot be given against a surety on an appeal from commissioners on claims in the probate court, without a proper and separate action for that purpose: Freeman on Judgments § 72; Montgomery v. Merrill 86 Mich. 97.
Blair, Kingsley & Kleinhans for appellee.

Opinion:
Campbell, J.
This controversy arose out of a claim against James Mortimer Smith for a balance alleged to remain unpaid by him as holder of an assigned mortgage, in which plaintiff was interested in part.
On the 9th of July, 1874, Smith purchased of plaintiff an interest of $600 in a mortgage for $1000, made by John Jebb. The mortgage was thereupon assigned to Smith, who agreed, in case of its prompt payment, to pay back to plaintiff $400 and interest thereon. But it was further pro vided. that if Smith had any delay or expense in collecting he should be paid therefor.
When the mortgage became due Jebb refused to pay it unless $200 should be thrown off. The court finds that the property was only good for the balance, and that no deficiency could have been collected of him. Smith, in consideration of this state of things, threw off $200 and collected the balance, for which he accounted.
We can see no reason why this did not discharge Smith's obligation. He was no more than a collecting agent for plaintiff of the balance over his own interest in the mortgage, and did all that under the circumstances was possible. The judgment was therefore correctly given in favor of respondent against claimant.
But the judgment which was rendered against the surety on the appeal bond was not authorized by law. Willard v. Fralidk 31 Mich. 431.
The judgment as to McGrath, the surety, must be reversed with costs. As to Beed, it must be affirmed with costs.
The other Justices concurred.