Sanford v. Wheeler

Church, J. The trustees under the assignment claim, that the mortgage of Stephen Wheeler, as against his creditors, is either totally or partially fraudulent and void; and whether it is either the one or the other, or whether it is good for the whole amount of the note described in its condition, are the questions reserved for our advice. 1. We think this mortgage cannot be sustained for the whole amount pretended to be secured by it, against the creditors of Stephen Wheeler, but must be set aside for so much as embraces the debts for which the defendant was only a surety. It is certain, that Stephen Wheeler did not owe this money to George: he owed it only to the original creditors, who were still unpaid. George had not paid it; nor was it certain he ever would; nor had he done any act, by which Stephen had become discharged from his obligation to pay. The estate of Stephen was still responsible for these debts: and the case even states, that they were in fact presented to the commissioners upon his estate and allowed ; and the original creditors were entitled to receive their dividend. Now, to permit George, under this mortgage, to recover the whole amount of this note, would be to permit him to take from the other creditors of Stephen Wheeler, at least the amount of the dividends for which he has paid nothing. George Wheeler may have been entitled from his father to security for his liabilities for these debts, and could have been made secure, by a proper mortgage deed ; but for some cause, [168] unknown to us, the parties preferred a different course. To have effected this purpose, the mortgage should have disclosed the nature of the transaction ; and the subject matter of the mortgage should at least have appeared with reasonable certainty ; although the details and particulars need not be set forth. But what have we here ? A mortgage given to secure the payment of a note of 2601 dollars, 16 cents, due from the mortgagor to the mortgagee, payable absolutely and unconditionally, and on demand ; and without any intimation, that any other than an absolute and bona fide debt of the description mentioned was in the contemplation of the parties. The superior court has found, that no such debt as this ever existed, or was ever due. The infirmity in this mortgage is not, that the true amount of the debt is not set forth, but that a claim altogether different, in its nature, character and amount from the one referred to in the condition of the mortgage deed, is attempted to be substituted for the debt described — the claim of a surety, and not of a creditor. And however equitable as between the parties to the mortgage it may be, that it should stand as security not only for the debt really due, but as an indemnity also for the liabilities of the mortgagee, yet as against third persons interested, it can no more be made to do this, than a mortgage given to secure a bond debt of a specified description, can be made to remain as security for the payment of a book debt. Pettibone v. Griswold, 4 Conn. Rep. 158. Stoughton v. Pasco, 5 Conn. Rep. 442. Hubbard v. Savage, S Conn. Rep. 215. Crane v. Deming, 7 Conn. Rep. 387. Booth v. Barnum, 9 Conn. Rep. 286. 2. But for so much of the consideration of the note described in the condition of this mortgage deed as consists of the actual debt due from Stephen Wheeler to George Wheeler, this mortgage must be supported. It is true, that it has been holden, that if there has been actual fraud, even in respect to a part only of the debts attempted to be secured by mortgage, a court of equity, and upon the application too of him who comes to seek equity, will set aside the entire mortgage, and forbid that it shall stand good for such part as may be bona fide. Boyd & al. v. Dunlap, 1 Johns. Ch. Rep. 478. Sands & al. v. Codwise, 4 Johns. Rep. 536. 599. Weeden v. Hawes, 10 Conn. Rep. 50. But such is not the present case. Tjje superior court [169] * has found, that there was no actual fraud in this transaction. ^The consideration of this note is very distinctly divisible : in part and to an ascertained amount, it consists of a bona fide debt, and in part, of mere liabilities. The present applicant appeals to a court of equity against this mortgage. He must come, then, as one disposed to do that justice to his adversary, which he demands from him; and this he cannot do, while he seeks to deprive him of a security for an honest debt; and this court, in the exercise of equitable powers, can give aid to no such attempt. If the facts found in the present case, are only such as have a probable tendency to deceive or mislead, without the malo animo necessary to constitute actual fraud, they may constitute what is sometimes termed a constructive fraud ; and then a court of equity will, if it be practicable, give effect to the security, so far as to permit it to stand in favour of such part of the debt intended to be secured by it, as is unaffected by fraud, or other legal infirmity. [See the authorities cited above.] The present case clearly falls within the operation of this principle; and we must, therefore, advise the superior court, that this mortgage deed be permitted to remain a valid security for so much of the note described, as is the amount of the real debt due from Stephen Wheeler to George Wheeler, the defendant, and the interest thereon ; and that it be declared void as to the residue. The other Judges were of the same opinion, except Sherman, J., who gave no opinion, having been of counsel in the cause. Decree for plaintiff in part,