Lewis v. Faber

SOMERVILLE, J. — The only question raised by the assignments of error, and the rulings of the Circuit Court-in this case, is, the right of the appellant, who was defendant in the lower court, to set off against the plaintiff (the appellee) a claim held by him (the defendant) against Munter & Brother, who had assigned to said plaintiff the note sued on in this action. Eaber was surety for Munter & Brother, on a debt due by them to the Merchants’ & Planters’ Bank. To secure this debt, the Munters transferred to the bank a note due by Lewis, the appellant. Lewis, after receiving notice of the assignment, as the evidence tended to show, purchased the claim against Munter & Brother, which he seeks to use as a set-off in this case. Eaber advanced the money to pay the bank debt, and, in accordance with an agreement previously made with Munter, had the collateral transferred by the bank to himself. The bank obtained Lewis’ note as a collateral, before Lewis acquired the prO [461] posed set-off; but the title of Eaber wag subsequent thereto. We think the Circuit Court was correct, in ruling that, under this state of facts, tbe set-off could not be allowed. The transfer of Lewis’ note to tbe bank, as collateral security for Munter’s indebtedness, clearly prevented tbe setting off of any claim afterwards required by Lewis. — Waterman on Set-Off, § 42. When Faber advanced the money to pay this debt, upon which he was surety, he became entitled, by express agreement witb tbe parties, to the interest of the bank, and to that of the Munters, in this claim; and this assignment would relate back to tbe date of its transfer to tbe bank. Faber could have coerced such assignment, by bill in equity, upon the principle of subrogation; and it is a sound rule, that a court of law will always ratify that which is done by consent of parties, if the same result would have been compelled or sanctioned by a court of equity. Law, thus far, regards equity, as equity is said always to follow the law. There is no error in the rulings of the Circuit Court, and the judgment is affirmed.