Solomon v. Kimmel

Tilghman C. J. This is a writ of error founded on a bill of exceptions. The action was brought by Kimmel the plaintiff below, against Solomon and Moor the defendants, on two bonds given by the defendants-to Kitzmiller, and by him assigned to Kimmel. It appears that Solomon, one of the defendants, had purchased land of Kitzmiller, in consideration of which the defendants had given him these and other bonds; and Kitzmiller, in pursuant of the articles of agreement between him and the defendant Solomon, had on his part given to Solomon a bond with security, conditioned for making good the title to the land sold by him. The plaintiff proved that an action had been brought and was , then depending against Kitzmiller and his security, on this indemnifying bond. The defendants gave evidence to prove the insolvency of Kitzmiller, but no evidence to prove the insolvency of his security. They also offered evidence that Kitzmiller’s title to the land sold, was not good at the time of sale, and that in consequence thereof, Solomon had sustained damage. To this evidence the counsel for the plaintiff objected, and the court rejected it, on which a bill of exceptions was taken to their opinion. It has often been decided that where a bond is given on the purchase of land, and the title is bad, the obligee cannot recover on the bond because the consideration has failed; and the assignee standing in the place of the obligee Can be in no better condition. If the consideration has really failed [234] in the present instance, and the defendants had contented ~th>-mselves with withstanding the payment of the bond, they would have had the law with them. But the case is very different. Suit has been brought to recover damages of the vendor, on account of 'the defect of title, so that the defendants are endeavouring to obtain a double satisfaction for the same injury. They had their election to proceed in either manner, and having thought proper to bring suit on the indemnifying bond, it would be unjust that they should be permitted to defend themselves against this action. It is-possible indeed, that injury may have been sustained, so that Solomon would be intitled, not only to withstand payment of the bond, but also to recover damages, which could only be done by resorting to the indemnifying bond. And if the case appeared plainly to be so, the action on the- indemnifying bond would have been no bar to the defence nojv set up. But that does not sufficiently appear on the face of the bill of exceptions. The matters are so blended that it is impossible .to separate them. So that as the case stood before the Court when the evidence of the defendants was offered, it appears to me that they were1 right in rejecting it. I am therefore of opinion that the judgment should be affirmed. Yeates J. It is the settled law, that the assignee of a bond takes it subject to all the equity which the obligor had against the obligee, unless such obligor has encouraged the assignment. Our defalcation act has much larger and more comprehensive words than the British statutes of set-off, and many matters are received in evidence amongst us by way of defence, which would be rejected in the English. courts. But I know of no case wherein a defendant has been allowed to bring forward any counter-debt, bargain or promise, to defeat the action brought against him either in the whole or in part, while at the same time he carries on a suit for the recovery of such debt, or damages for the nonperformance of such bargain or promise. Such double proceedings are incompatible, and repugnant to the spirit and policy of the law. Defalcation is at the option of the defendant. No man can be compelled to make a set-off; but when he elects so to do, he must plead it or give notice of his in [235] tention under the general issue. In this case, it appears by the bill of exceptions, that the defendant had brought his suit upon the articles of agreement made between the original parties, returnable to November term 1802, to recover the damages he supposed himself intitled to. During the pendency of that suit, he could not urge those damages by way of defence to his bond. He had determined his election, and until that suit was discontinued, the testimony offered could not be received. I apprehend that the Court of Common Pleas acted correctly in overruling the evidence offered by the defendant below, and am of opinion that their judgment be affirmed. Brackenridge J. concurred. Judgment affirmed.