Bennett v. Bartlett
Bennett v. Bartlett
Opinion of the Court
The opinion was delivered at the October term, 1851.
The plaintiff had no claim, which could have been proved in bankruptcy against the defendant, at any time before the date of his discharge. While the plaintiff was in the actual possession and enjoyment of the money which he received for the wire, he could prove no claim, and had no claim against the defendant. If the plaintiff, before he was deprived of the money, had brought a. suit against the defendant, for a breach of his warranty of title, it must have been a good
The only claim, which the plaintiff now has or ever had against the defendant, is for a sum of money in the place or stead of the money for which he sold the wire. But while the plaintiff actually held the money for the wire, he could have no claim against the defendant, for another sum in the place or stead of that money. If, while the plaintiff held the money for the wire, he could have had another equal sum allowed him in any form against the defendant, he might have obtained double the sum to which he was entitled. While the plaintiff, therefore, hejd this money, he had no claim contingent or otherwise which he could have proved against the defendant. The most the plaintiff could have Droved would have been, that he might possibly, at some future time, if he was deprived of the money, have a claim against the defendant. It was not the duty of the plaintiff voluntarily to give up the money to Barry, and take upon himself the burden of proof to show, in proof of his claim against the defendant in bankruptcy, that he had no title to the wire. The plaintiff could not know, that the defendant had no such title, and could not be required to assume the burden of proving that fact. The defendant cannot be heard to say, that the plaintiff should have assumed, that he, the defendant, did not own the wire, which he assumed to own and which he sold to the plaintiff.
The defendant transferred the wire as his own to the plain(tiff, and authorized the plaintiff to sell it, and to receive the
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Joshua Bennett v. William Bartlett
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published