Case Name: Stanley against Chappell, impleaded with Hudson
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1828-02
Citations: 8 Cow. 235
Docket Number: 
Parties: Stanley against Chappell, impleaded with Hudson.
Judges: 
Reporter: Cowen's Reports
Volume: 8
Pages: 234–236

Head Matter:
Stanley against Chappell, impleaded with Hudson.
On demurrer to the declaration. This was in debt an award. It began thus: “Elijah Stanley, as guardian and security for Amanda Stanley, Dyer Stanley, &c., heirs at law of Dyer Stanley, deceased, plaintiff in this suit, com- , . „ „ J J , .’ r L ’ . plains, &c. It then set forth, m the first count, mutual bonds of arbitration as between the plaintiff (not him guardian, &c.) and the defendants, binding the parties to abide an award concerning differences, &c., between parties. It then set forth an award that the defendants r should pay to “ the said plaintiff as guardian and security as aforesaid. ” After the commencement, the declaration described him as plaintiff simply, without any addition, in r . , r J , A . . ' the first count, except m the part which set forth the award to pay to him, &c. The award was, as set forth, simply that within 60 days after publishing the award, the defendants should pay to the plaintiff, as guardian and security, 122.0 dollars and 90 cents, or that satisfactory security be given therefor, within that time. There were two counts, but they did not differ very materially. The second count described the submission as being by the plaintiff, as guardian-and security, &c.; and the «award was of sums distributively for the benefit of the wards.
Whereaplamtiff declares by guardian °de” clares plaintif? he must show how he f^t^his supposed ward
the Pjamtiff declares in a spedal character, aedaratlon by showing his character, he may in all the ^"^3 of Ms c** claration refJ to himself as the said plaintiff without adding his special character.
E. g. where a plaintiff sues and declares as guardian.
An award that one shall pay money, or give security, is valid for the money, though void as to the security, -being general and uncertain, and not saying what the security shall be. The latter may, therefore, be rejected as surplusage.
Demurrer and joinder.
J. A. Collier, in.support of the demurrer,
cited 4 Rep. 52,, 3; 1 Lev. 224; 2 Saund. 117, f. note (1); and Com. Dig., Pleader, (2 C. 1.); that'the plaintiff should show how he was appointed guardian, and that his supposed wards are infants. And that the award was void, he cited 9 John. 43; 2 Str. 1024 ; 2 Cain. 235; 3 Cowen, 70; and 2 Cowen, 638. That debt would not lie on the award, it not being simply for the payment of money, he cited 1 Chit. Pl. 94, 105, 106; 2 ib. 80 note (n); id. 145, 6, note (l.)
Jacob Lansing, contra,
cited 2 Chit. Pl. 145; Kyd. on Awards, 203, 204; 12 Mod. 585, 6; 1 Taunt. 549; 14 John. 96.

Opinion:
Curia, per Sutherland, J.
The first ground of objection to the declaration, appears to be fatal. The plaintiff describes himself as guardian, and security for Amanda "Stanley, and others;, but does not show how he is guardian and security, or that he was specially appointed by the court, or that those for whom he assumes, to act, are infants. In 2 Saund. 117, f. note (1,) it is expressly laid down 'that if an infant sues, by guardian or prochein amy, without saying, by this, court here, specially admitted, it is error. He is supported by the case of Combers v. Walton, (1 Lev. 224;) and in Rawlin's case, (4 Rep. 53, 4,) it was held that the admission of the guardian or proch&in amy not being entered of record, is not material, if the appointment be in fact made, and so averred or stated in the declaration. (And see Com. Dig. Plead. 2 C. 1; 3 Mod. 236; 1 R. L. 416; 1 Dunl. Pr. 86, 7, et seq.; Tidd's Pr.. 69, 70, 71; 2 Arch. Pr. 143, 4.) If the omission be error, it is fatal on demurrer.
There is no force in any of the other objections taken to the declaration. It is said the bond of submission, as set forth in the declaration, was of all differences between "the plaintiff, (in his private capacity,) and the defendants; whereas the award is, that the defendants shall pay to the plaintiff, as guardian, &c. In the commencement of the declaration, the plaintiff describes himself as guardian, &c.; and in all the subsequent parts of the declaration, he describes himself as plaintiff. Now, who was the plaintiff? Not Elijah Stanley, but Elijah Stanley in the special character of guardian, &c. And it was unnecessary to describe him as such. The term plaintiff, included' the description.
The award directs the defendants to pay a certain sum of money to the plaintiff, within 60 days, or give satisfactory security for the same. It is said the award is void for uncertainty, in not specifying the nature of the security. So much of the award as directs security to be given, is undoubtedly void; and it leaves the award as though that part had been omitted," and it had been a simple award to pay the money») Simmonds v. Swaine, 1 Taunt. 549. Lee v. Elkins, 12 Mod. 585. Kyd on Aw. 203, 4.) In Thinne v. Rigby, (Cro. Jac. 314,) the award did not direct the money to be paid ; but simply that security should be given. The giving of the security is not the consideration for any thing to be done by the plaintiff. It may, therefore, be rejected without impairing the residue of the award.
But on the first ground, the declaration is bad; and the defendants must have judgment, with leave to the plaintiff to amend.
Buie accordingly.