Hughes v. Mitchell

DARGAN,C._ J. icannot doubt.but that the settlement made by William Measeis as guardian of Flora AnnRingstaff;.as evince [271] ed by the orders of the Orphans’ Court of Lowndes, is evidence as against him of a debt due to his ward. It is provided by statute, that the documents and evidence of all settlements made with executors, administrators, and guardians, shall be carefully preserved by the clerk of the County Court, and the settlement entered of record; which evidence, vouchers, documents and settlement shall be good evidence, in any suit for or against such executor, administrator or guardian, and shall not be impeached, unless for fraud in obtaining the same. — Clay’s Dig. 804, § 37. It is under the influence of this act, that we have held that the final settlement of the accounts of executors and administrators, made in the Orphans’ Court, showing the indebtedness of such executors or administrators, is conclusive alike upon them and their securities.—Williams v. Howell, 4 Ala. 693; Chilton v. Parke, 14 Ala. 671; Perkins v. Moore, 16 Ala. 9. It is however argued that tins final settlement as a judgment, would be considered void, because it is not rendered in favor of any one, and no execution could have issued upon it, for the amount ascertained to be due from Measeis, the guardian, to his ward. This may be true; but we do not think the consequence follows, that the settlement is not evidence of an indebtedness from the guardian to the ward. The Orphans’ Court had jurisdiction, and its orders show that the guardian entered into a final settlement, and he was found indebted $294 65-100. This is evidence of a debt due from him to his ward. The next question that grows out of this branch of the ease is, whether Hughes, who was appointed guardian of the ward in the stead of Measeis, is chargeable with this debt, he never having taken any measures to collect it. We think it clear that a guardian who has notice of a debt due to his ward, should not, through mere negligence, suffer it to be lost. If he does, he should be charged with the amount.—Willis v. Willis, 16 Ala. 653; Brazeal v. Brazeal, 9 Ala. 491; Duffie v. Buchanan and wife, 8 Ala. 27. The evidence shows that Surles, one of the securities of Mea-seis, was solvent, that he remained in the State for more than five years after Hughes was appointed guardian, and then removed from the country, whereby the debt is lost. Had measures been taken by Hughes during this time to collect the debt, it could have been done. But it has not been, and the loss is fairly attributable to his neglect, and he must bear the consequences. [272] It appears that two decrees have heretofore’been rendered in this case, both of which have been reversed by 'this court, upon the first of which two executions were issued. 'One was delivered to the sheriff of Lowndes, the other to dhe sheriff of Coosa. The sheriff of Lowndes levied on certain lands as the property of Hughes, which he sold in June, 1845, and John :L.'Tomlinson became the purchaser bidding a sum sufficient to pay all ‘-the costs, and $78 98-100 of the principal. 'In Aug. 1847, a 'motion was made to quash the executions, and set aside the sale, which was granted. There is no evidence that the money was refunded to Tomlinson, or that he ever obtained possession of the land. The guardian, Hughes, asked to be allowed a credit to the amount of this sum, which was refused :by'the court, and he excepted. We think the -court correctly refused this sum as a credit. It is clear that the execution being quashed, and the sale set aside, Hughes has not lost his title to the land. He therefore paid no part of this sum. The money belonged to Tomlinson, and Hughes cannot insist upon it as a payment by himself. But it is contended that it ought to have been allowed as a credit, for the reason that Tomlinson being the security of Hughes, who is now insolvent, it is but reasonable to presume that Mitchell has retained the money, because he had an equitable right to it. We will not discuss the right of Mitchell to retain it, nor the right of Tomlinson to demand it. The proceedings are against Hughes, he has no right to the money, and consequently cannot insist upon it as a payment by him, or as a ■ credit to which he is entitled. This can be settled between Mitchell and 'Tomlinson, if ever Tomlinson is called upon to;pay any more, if indeed it has not already been adjusted between them. 'Under the execution delivered to the sheriff of Coosa, three 'negroes were sold as the property of Hughes, for the sum of $540-, which were purchased by William Mastín, who was also one of Hughes’ securities; Mastín did not pay the money, but executed his note 'to Mitchell for the amount; afterwards this execution was'quashed, and'the sale was set aside, and Mastín rand Mitchell 'agreed that the note given for the purchase money at sheriff’s sale should be considered null and void, and it never has been collected; another execution issued upon the second decree, and two of these three negroes were sold under it for $478 ; they were levied upon in the possession of Mastín. It is not shown what became of the [273] ¡-third slave, and no other evidence was offered to show that it ’“Was lost to Hughes in consequence of the sale. The court allowed Mm a credit of -'$478, being the amount for which the two --slaves Avere sold under the “second decree, but refused to alloAv •him a credit for the value df'the other. As the execution upon ' the first decree, under which the slaves were sold, atos quashed and the sale set aside, and Mastin never having paid thepur chase money, it is manifest that the title of Hughes, even if it was divested by-the sale, was restored to him, and in the absence of all- proof to the contrary, it is but a reasonable presumption that he regained the possession of the slave, or at all eAumts, that the value of the slave has not been lost to him. We cannot indulge in the presumption,'that Hughes has never regained this slave or its value, there being no’ proof what became of it. It is not therefore necessary to enter into an examination of the question, whether Hughes would haAre been entitled to a credit for this slave or its value, if it had been shoAvn that, by the sale Avhich Avas set aside, the slave Avas lost to him. W e think the court ruled correctly, in allowing him a credit for the amount the tAvo slaves bought at' the second sale, and refusing him a credit for the value of the third. In regard to the cost that has accrued in consequence of the litigation of the item of -§294 65-100, we flunk the court correctly charged them against Hughes. 'The controversy greAV out of his failure to collect ’this sum from Measeis and his securities, it therefore greAV out of his neglect, and he was properly ■ charged AYith the debt. We can see no-reason why the estate of the Avard should bear the expense of litigation which grows- out of the neglect, and improper conduct of the guardian, especially A\rhen he is unsuccessful, and is charged AVith the sum.in reference to which the litigation-arose. As the ward is entitled to recover this sum against him, and the litigation ayus improper on his part in denying his liability, he Avas not charged Avith -the costs improperly.—Jones, adm’r. v. Dyer and wife, 16 Ala. 221. Upon the Avhole, AYe can discover no error in the . decree, and it must be .affirmed.