Armstrong v. State ex rel. Morrow

Dewet, J. — The state, on the relation of Rebecca Morrow an infant, by Sulgrove her guardian and next friend, brought an action of debt against Armstrong and Bell. The declaration alleges, that, on the 10th day of November, 1835, Armstrong was appointed guardian of the relator, and gave bond, with one M'-Caw as his surety, in the penalty of 1,000 dollars, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duties and trusts as guardian; that on the 21st day of March, 1840, M'-Caw applied to the proper authority to be discharged from subsequent liability on his bond; and that Armstrong having been required to execute a further bond, with additional security, for the performance of the condition of the first bond, the defendants did thereupon execute the obligation on which this suit is founded to the state of Indiana, in the penalty of 1,000 dollars, the condition of which, after reciting the above facts, is, u that Armstrong should faithfully perform the trusts of his guardianship, being the condition of the said former bond.” The declaration also alleges that the new bond was approved by the proper authority “as the further bond of Armstrongthat M'-Caw was discharged from subsequent liability; that Armstrong failed to discharge the duties of guardian, and was, on the 8th day of October, 1841, removed [82] from his trust, and his authority revoked ; and that Sulgrove appointed the guardian of the relator. The first breach assigned is, that after the appointment of Armstrong as guardian, and after the execution of the bond by him and MlCaw, and before the revocation of his guardianship, there came to and was in his hands and possession as guardian 1,000 dollars belonging to his ward; and that Sulgrove, after his appointment as guardian, and before the commencement of the suit, demanded of Armstrong to account for and pay over to him whatever money he had received belonging to Rebecca Morrow; that Armstrong refused ; and that he had never accounted to the Probate Court. The second breach need not be set out, because, as to that, there were issues of fact from which no question arises. Armstrong made default. Bell demurred specially to the first breach, assigning for cause of demurrer, that it did not appear whether Armstrong had received the money of his ward before or after the execution of the bond on which the action is founded. The Court overruled the demurrer. The trial of the issues upon the second breach, and the assessment of damages, were submitted' to the Court. The Court found for the defendant on one of the issues, and assessed the plaintiff’s damages upon the first breach at 498 dollars and 53 cents. Judgment in favour of the plaintiff for the penalty of the bond, and also for the damages assessed and costs, with an award of execution for the latter. The only question of any importance in this cause arises from the demurrer to the first breach of the bond assigned in the declaration. It is contended in behalf of Bell, that he is liable as the surety of Armstrong only for such money as the latter held as guardian at the date of the second bond — that executed by Bell — or such as he received subsequently thereto ; and it is insisted that the breach is bad for want of certainty in these particulars. But the view we take of the subject renders this matter of no consequence. Our opinion is, that the condition of the new bond embraces all the defalcations of Armstrong, as well those which took place before its execution, as those which happened afterwards. The statute for the relief of the sureties of certain officers, [83] provides that the surety of various persons, including guardians, wishing to discharge himself from further liability his bond, may apply in the manner pointed out for such discharge; upon which, the principal shall be required to execute “ a further bond for the performance of the condition of the former bond, with such additional security as may be approved,” &c.; and on the execution of the new- bond, the applicant for relief shall be exonerated from subsequent liability on the bond executed by him. R. S. 1838, pp. 423, 424. W. W. Wick and L. Barbour, for the appellants. C. Fletcher and O. Butler, for the appellee. It is evident, we think, that the legislature in requiring a further bond, with additional security for the performance of the condition of the first bond, did not mean that the new bond should be limited to such delinquencies of the principal as should take place after its date, but that it should include every liability incurred under both bonds. With this view the obligation on which the action is founded was given; and though the condition might have been framed in apter words, it is sufficient to accomplish its object. The expression, “ being the condition of the former bond,” shows that the intention of the parties was to comply with the law, and assume the required responsibility. We think the Circuit Court was correct in overruling the demurrer. But an error was inadvertently committed. The judgment should not have included the damages found by the Court; that portion of the judgment is erroneous. Per Curiam. — The judgment as to the damages assessed is reversed, and is affirmed as to the residue.