Court Opinion

ID: 6413328
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:54:19.140379+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:26.862508
License: Public Domain

Metcalf, J.
That part of the defendant’s answer, in which he placed his defence on the ground that the articles which he attached were “ contraband of law,” and not legally attachable, was abandoned at the argument, and we therefore decide the case without reference to that point.
The plaintiffs’ claim on Blake was in no way impaired or affected by the proceedings against him under the insolvent laws; nor would it have been, even if he had obtained a discharge under those laws. Mann v. Houghton, 7 Cush. 592. Sampson v. Clark, 2 Cush. 173. Those proceedings would have dissolved the attachment made by the defendant, if it had not been previously dissolved by the bond which he took. But the bond remained in force, notwithstanding the proceedings in *138insolvency, and the obligors were liable to pay the amount of the plaintiffs’ judgment against Blake. Gass v. Smith, 6 Gray, 112. Loring v. Eager, 3 Cush. 190. Though the bond was not taken in the manner prescribed by St. 1846, c. 122, namely, by application to a judge and notice to the plaintiffs, yet, as it was executed voluntarily, and contained no conditions contrary to any law, it was valid. Middleham v. Bellerby, 1 M. & S. 312. Sweetser v. Hay, 2 Gray, 52, and cases there cited. But the defendant, by taking a bond without conforming to the provisions of St. 1846, incurred the responsibility of obtaining sureties who were sufficient; and, as the sureties whom he took were unable to pay any part of the amount of the bond, but were insolvent when it was executed, and have never since had any property, and as Blake, the principal obligor, went into insolvency in four months after executing the bond, and neither he nor the sureties could be found within the Commonwealth after the plaintiffs’ execution against him was issued, we are of opinion that the plaintiffs are entitled to judgment.
We have not examined the several counts in the declaration for the purpose of seeing in which of them, if in either, the cause of action is correctly set forth. The case being submitted on an agreed statement of facts, the decision is made without reference to the pleadings. Judgment for the plaintiffs.