Andrews v. Mann

Fisher, J., delivered the opinion of the court. This is an appeal from a decree of the Chancellor of the Middle District of this State, sustaining a demurrer to the complainant’s bill. The complainant, and the defendant Charles T. Mann, were co-partners in a drug store, at Yazoo city. The complainant sold his interest in the concern to one Heth, who agreed to pay the complainant’s portion of the co-partnership debts. Heth sold his interest thus acquired to Mann, who has applied the assets of the firm of Andrews & Mann to the payment of his individual debts. The object of the bill is to recover such assets, or at least so much as will suffice for the payment of the co-partnership debt. It may be true, as contended, that Mann, if there had been no sale by the complainant, would have no right to apply the assets of the firm to his individual debts; and that the complainant could, in such case, maintain his bill. But that is not the question in this case. The complainant made an absolute sale to Heth, without retaining a lien upon the assets or articles sold, as a means of compelling Heth to comply with his contract. The complainant, in other words, trusted Heth, without taking from him any security whatever, for the performance of his engagement. By the sale, the old co-partnership was dissolved, and Heth undertook to pay the debts properly chargeable against the retiring partner. He, it seems, has failed to comply with this undertaking. The complainant not having retained a lien upon the articles, or [324] rather his interest in the articles sold, could not restrain Heth from selling them to Mann, or in dealing with them as he might think proper. Mann purchased such interest as Heth had the right to sell; and there being no restriction upon this right, the mere act of sale could not create a restriction, or enlarge the complainant’s rights. Heth may be liable to the complainant for a breach of his contract; and Mann himself, may be liable upon the settlement of the co-partnership account. But as already remarked, this is not the question. Has Mann acquired the title of all the co-partners to the co-partnership property ? If so, it is his, and he can dispose of it as he may think proper; and being the absolute owner, the purchaser from him acquires a complete title. Decree affirmed.