Alsop v. Nichols

The question in this case, is, whether the plaintiff’s replication is sufficient.

By our statute of set-off, when the plaintiff is a bankrupt, or insolvent, or not an inhabitant of the state, and there are mutual debts existing between the parties, one debt may be ; set off against the other, and judgment may be rendered for the balance. Slat, 43. tit. Actions Civil, sec. 32.

In support of the demurrer, it is claimed, that upon the principles of natural equity and justice, one debt ought to be set off against another: that the decisions under the civil law, as well as those of our own courts, also support the same principle.

Lord Mansfield does indeed, in Green & al. v. Farmer & al., 4 Burr. 2220. use this language: “ Natural equity says, that cross demands should compensate each other, by deduct* ing the less sum from the greater ; and that the difference is : the only sum that can be justly dm.” If that were law, the ; statutes of set-off, both here and in England, were entirely unnecessary ; and the interposition of courts of equity, in : certain cases, was also unnecessary. But a long course of decisions in both countries, has shewn, that such was not the law. And the same eminent judge himself immediately addsr “ But positive law, for the sake of the forms of proceeding and convenience of trial, has said, that each must sue and recover separately, in separate actions.” It is, therefore, entirely too late to enquire, at this time, whither the principles, of natural equity would lead us.

Again, it is said, that by the principles and maxims of the civil law, founded upon the principles of justice, a set-off : is made ipso jure, by the simple operation of law, as soon asi the creditor becomes the debtor, and vice versa. Here again,; it is apparent, that if this were our law, our statute of set-off was entirely unnecessary ; and the whole course of decisions:; in this state since its first settlement on this subject, have been; erroneous ; and the statute recently made is of no impor-; tance, — unless to limit this right before existing ; because; *371these principles of the civil law are independent of our statute, and as applicable to our situation before as after the exist-. ence of that statute. Whatever respect, therefore, is due to those who framed the civil law, or those who expounded it, it cannot be admitted, that the principles of that law, are to he adopted by us, if irreconcilable with a course of decisions, which have been uniform, and in entire conformity with the decisions in that 'country from which most of our laws are derived. Much less do I see any foundation for the claim that this is in accordance with the principles of our own decisions.

It is true, that in book debt it has been holden, that a debt barred by the statute of limitations, may be introduced in evidence, to countervail a debt of the other party less than six years old. Nichols v. Leavensworth, 1 Day 245. This, 1 apprehend, however, is not upon the ground of set-off, but of payment. The nature of the action of book debt requires this. The action is brought for the balance due on book; and that balance only can be recovered, if the actual state of the account is known to the court. Of course, there is no plea of set-off necessary. Nor was there formerly any notice to be given of the defendant’s claim, unless he claimed a balance due him, though now a statute allows the plaintiff to pray oyer of the defendant’s account.

The case of The Vermont Slate Batik v. Porter, 5 Day 316. 323. is not analogous. There, the plaintiffs, incorporated by the laws of Vermont, were, by their charter, bound to receive their own notes in payment of their debts. To avoid the effect of this provision, they brought a suit in Connecticut, against a surety of one of their debtors, who claimed that he might have the benefit of this provision. This was resisted, because in Connecticut we then had no statute of set-off. But the court held, that this contract being made under the laws of Vermont, and with reference to them, ought to be carried into effect in this state, and therefore, sustained a plea of a tender of the notes of the Vermont State Bank. a

The. only remaining question, then, is, what is the true construction of our statute of set-off? This statute, in its provisions, resembles the English statute of 2 Geo. II. and 8 Geo. II. It does notf indeed, go so far as those statutes, as it ‘allows a set-off only when the plaintiff is a bankrupt or insol*372vent, or resides out of the state : in other respects, it contains sustantja]jy provisions of those statutes. According to the ordinary rule of construction, therefore, we are to adopt the construction, given by the English courts, to those acts. When the legislature adopts an English statute, we cannot rationally believe, that it intended to adopt the civil law ; but we may fairly suppose, that it did intend to adopt those principles which had been engrafted upon or derived from that statute. It would seem, then, that we had only to enquire what A construction, in similar cases, has been given to the English statutes. We find, that soon after the enactment of those statutes, in the case of Remington v. Stevens, 2 Stra. 1271., it was held, that the statute of limitations might be replied to; a plea of the statute of set-off. If it is said, that this is a Nistj Prius case, reported in two lines, it may also be said, that it has been recognized as sound law, by every writer treating upon this subject from that time to the present. Bul. N. P. 180. 1 Chitt. Plead. 553. 3 Wooddes. Led. 164. 1 Tidd’s Prac. 604. And it has been considered as good law in several of our sister states. Williams v. Gilchrist, 3 Bibb, 49. Gilchrist v. Williams, 3 Marsh. 236. Martin v. Williams, 17 Johns. Rep. 330. The Jefferson County Bank v. Chapman, 19 Johns. Rep. 322. 1 Yeates 391. And independent of authority, it stands upon ground not to be shaken. The statute speaks of mutual debts; of course, it cannot intend those claims, which, ipso jure, destroy each other; as payment destroys the claim of the holder of a note. In such case, the payer has no mutual debt, but must see to the application of the money. The debt referred to, by the statute,i must be a subsisting debt. 1 Chitt. Plead. 553. 3 Bibb 49. A debt, which, by the rules of law, cannot be proved to be in existence, cannot be a debt recognized by law. A claim avoided by the statute of frauds, or usury, or the statute of limitations, cannot be considered as a subsisting debt; and when the statute of limitations is interposed, I see not why it is not as operative and effectual as the statute of frauds or of usury.

It is conceded, that if the plaintiff had brought his action to recover this debt, the statute of limitations might be interposed. What difference in principle can it make, whether he claims this debt as plaintiff or as defendant ? There is the *373same danger from the treachery of memory regarding an ancient transaction ; the same danger of perjury from a perfidious man, whether the witness is sworn by the defendant or plaintiff: all the evils contemplated by the statute are the same, and the laches of the party is the same. Besides, in a plea of set-off, the defendant becomes the actor. He is, indeed, plaintiff, so far as regards this claim. Carpenter v. Butterfield, 3 Johns. Ca. 145. 147. The Jefferson County Bank v. Chapman, 19 Johns. Rep. 322. 324. 3 Wooddes. Lee. 164. Of course, he must establish his claim in the same manner. If then, instead of interposing a plea of the statute of limitations, the plaintiff had traversed the existence of the debt, could the defendant have proved any debt ? Might not the plaintiff have objected to any proof of a debt more than six years old ? I *know not how the defendant could have answered the objection. 3 Stark. Ev. 1317. Of course, the issue must have been found against the defendant ; because he has no debt ; he has proved none. If that course might have been taken successfully, this is equally proper for a party claiming the benefit of the statute of limitations. He may either plead the statute, or object to the evidence of a debt within it. Indeed, I consider the rule as settled, that such a debt only can be set off, as an action could be maintained for. Esp. Dig. 239.

A single case only has been pressed upon us, with much force, as opposed to this principle. It is a Nisi Prius case ; and the judge is Lord Kenyon. That was an action on a bill of exchange, dated in 1784. The set off claimed was of bills and notes paid some years, by the defendant. The plaintiff’s demand had been kept alive, by his having taken out and continued process. As the defendant had not done this, it was claimed, that his demand was barred by the statute ; and so there could be no set-off. But it was holden, that as the transactions between the parties were all of the same date ; and as the bills seemed to have been given in the course of these transactions, and for their mutual accommodation ; it would be the highest injustice to allow one to have an operation by law, and not the other ; and his Lordship said,'he would hold the latter to be good as well as the former, and suffer them to be set off.

It seems, however, in this case, that the general issue was *374pleaded, and the cause was on trial to the jury ; and when an objection was made to the defendant’s proving the bills paid by him, as they were not made the special objects of a set off, it was overruled ; and it was held, that they were good evidence under the count for money paid for the plaintiff’s use.

Whether, therefore, the remarks of the jydge, in that case, were made on the plea of set-off or on the general issue, does not appear. Indeed, there is so much looseness in the Report, that the precise point cannot be easily ascertained. This, however, is apparent, that it was not a mere point of law, arising, as in this case, upon a demurrer. Nor is it to be believed, that Lord Kenyon intended to impair the general principle above alluded to, as he does not advert at all to any previous case. But when he speaks of the course of business of these parties, and their mutual accommodations, it is apparent he refers to facts that do not appear detailed in the report, and upon which he is instructing the jury. But in the case before the court, upon this demurrer, we know nothing of the course of business between these parties, of their mutual accommodations, and of a variety of facts, which might justly lead a jury to believe, that it was the intention of the parties, that one of those claims should apply to the other, and that “ it would be the highest injustice to allow one to have an operation, and not the other.” “ A presumption of payment,” (says Ch. J. Kent) “ as a matter of evidence, must be left, in each case, to be raised or repelled by the respective parties.” Ruggles v. Keeler, 3 Johns. Rep. 268.

I do not know, that the defendants can make out such a case. If they can, it must be on a trial of fact. But under this demurrer, where the naked question arises, whether the statute of limitations is a good answer to a plea of set-off, I can have no hesitation in answering that question in the affirmative ; and therefore conclude, that there is no error in the judgment of the superior court.

Judgment affirmed.