Court Opinion

ID: 6406794
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:49:35.761162+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:14.285427
License: Public Domain

Putnam J.
delivered the opinion of the Court. The Question is, whether the defendant had unreasonably refused to account, at the time when the action was commenced. If he had, the judgment should be for the plaintiff, according to the verdict. If he had not, the plaintiff should become nonsuit and pay costs to the defendant. And we think, that the facts proved touching the order of the plaintiff on the defendant, of July 22, 1833, to account with M‘Collum, and the letter of M‘Collum to Bigelow & Bangs, dated August 1, 1833, have a material bearing in the case. Reasonable or not, is a question of law, where all the facts ar-e ascertained. Let us ¿onsider the facts and circumstances.
By that order the plaintiff directed the defendant to deposit the proceeds of the lumber in some Boston bank for the use of M‘Collum ; and by the letter of Medium written eight days afterwards, Bigelow & Bangs were directed to call on *531the defendant and receive the proceeds of the propet .y for the use of M‘Collum. Notice of these papers was given by Bigelow & Bangs on the 6th or 7th of August, 1833, to the defendant. After that notice by the agents of M'Collum, the plaintiff made a demand upon the defendant to account with him. The defendant then became liable to one or the other of those adverse claimants, and it made no difference to him which of them was legally entitled to the property. The defendant had no more interest than that of a mere stake-holder But he was obliged, at his own peril, to determine to which party he should properly account. Under the impression, no doubt, that he was liable to M‘Collum, the defendant answered the plaintiff, that “ he had nothing to do with him.” This is a phrase which might be used in a manner not offensive, but as reminding the plaintiff that he himself had directed the defendant to account to some other person. And in the same conversation he gave the reason for that remark; he referred to the assignment to M‘Collum, and requested the plaintiff to call on Bigelow & Bangs, and see the letter of M‘Collum. It would seem that the plaintiff should have explained, and shown some good reason, why he made a claim directly contrary to his order. He made no explanation ; but immediately commenced his action ; whether before or after the discussion that took place between the parties at the counting room of Bigelow & Bangs, does not appear ; and it is not material that it should. But it was on the same day on which the agents of M‘Collum gave notice of his claim, on which the plaintiff made his demand, and on which the defendant was perplexed with these adverse claims.
Now it appears clearly to the Court, as matter of law from the evidence, that the defendant was not in any default at the time when the plaintiff commenced his action ; and that there is no evidence in the case from which a jury would be warranted to infer that the defendant had waived his legal rights. We think, under the circumstances, the defendant had a right to take a reasonable time for consideration and for the obtaining of legal advice touching his duty and liability , A nd such a reasonable time for consultation and *532advice, would have extended beyond the time when the action was commenced. It is to be recollected, the case finds that the plaintiff did not contend that the defendant had not used due diligence and skill while he continued to retail the lumber. So that he was in no default, unless his not accounting to the plaintiff instanter., put him in the wrong. It is true that after the writ was served, the defendant offeied to account with the plaintiff. Whether the defendant judged correctly or not of that matter, we are not now called upon to decide. The demand of the plaintiff was certainly against the apparent tenor and effect of his order on the defendant. How it might be explained we know not. If the papers were in reality what they purported to be, it would seem that the defendant was accountable to M‘Collum, and not to the plaintiff. If, for example, the property were originally in the plaintiff, and a creditor of the plaintiff had summoned the defendant as trustee, and the defendant had disclosed the plaintiff’s order in favor of M‘Collum, and M‘Collum’s letter to Bigelow & Bangs, notifying the defendant to account for the use of M'Collum, it would seem, that the defendant would have been discharged. But those papers and that transaction might perhaps be impeached on the ground of fraud, or otherwise. We do not now decide upon their validity. It is sufficient for the decision of the question now to be settled, that the defendant was not liable to an action by either of the parties thus adversely claiming, until he had had reasonable time for inquiry as to the facts, and for reflection and consultation upon his legal rights and duties growing out of the whole subject. Such reasonable time not having been allowed, the verdict is set aside and a new trial granted. The new trial will be of no avail, unless the facts shall be varied.