Miller v. Whittier
Miller v. Whittier
Opinion of the Court
— The plaintiff alleges that the defendant Whittier holds the property in controversy, in trust for him. Whittier does not admit the trust, nor expressly deny it, but admits that there were “ certain verbal agreements and understandings, that if Perkins and Wendell should do certain things, which they agreed to do, they were to receive their share of the profitsand submits whether the facts stated, constitute him trustee. The plaintiff has acquired the interest of Perkins and Wendell, and seeks the execution of the supposed trust, and a specific performance of the agreement of November 17, 1845, between Whittier and I. P. Wendell & Co.; Perkins having before that time conveyed to Wendell, who transacted business in the name of I. P. Wendell & Co. The original purchase was made with funds, furnished principally, if not wholly, by Perkins and Wendell, but the conveyance was made by Patten, on August 3, 1836, directly to Whittier, by whom, or through whose agency, the purchase was effected.
The business relations between Perkins and Wendell, and Whittier, appear to have been conducted in mutual confidence, and without the usual evidence and securities in such transac
The ease, then, is resolved into the mere consideration, whether the plaintiff is entitled to a decree under the agreement. He alleges “ his willingness, and offers specifically to perform and do, on his part, whatever said I.. P. Wendell & Go., his grantors, should do and perform in and by said agreement, and whatever the Court shall order and direct him to do in the premises hut does not allege performance.
Whittier alleges that “ he has done and performed and fulfilled all and singular, according to his best skill and judgment, his agreements and stipulations, in that agreement, and as agent from that time till now, has devoted his whole time and attention to the business of said concern, and in all things acted in good faith, and he denies all allegations in the hill to the contrary.” He denies “ that he has ever refused, absolutely, to convey, deliver, or account to even the plaintiff, as alleged in the bill. But he has always been desirous that I. P. Wendell & Go., or their assignee, should perform the agree
The omission by the plaintiff, or his assignors, to perform, does not appear to have been materially injurious to the defendants. Indeed, Whittier has waived their performance of the agreement, by continuing to act as agent under it, and charging his disbursements, liabilities and compensation for services.
While the plaintiff seeks a decree for specific performance of the agreement, it is in reference to such portions only, of the property described, as remain unsold, and not disposed of by Whittier, and “ the transfer and delivery of all the moneys and securities, if any, taken in payment of the same, and an account of the income and profits made out of said estate real and personal.” He thus ratifies the bona fide sales and conveyances by Whittier, and presents his claims in the most favorable light for the defendants. A specific performance of the contract, thus qualified, would not seem to be injurious or distasteful to either, but in accordance with the best interests and wishes of both parties, and may be decreed.
The evidence does not sustain the charge of fraud, on the part of Whittier or Jones. The mortgage from Whittier to Smith, of a portion of the estate, was known to I. P. Wendell & Co. and was neither disapproved nor repudiated; and his authority to make the conveyance, is not denied in the bill. Qui facet consentiré videtur, was a maxim of the civil law
In proceedings in equity all persons in interest, and within the jurisdiction, and capable of being parties, must be made such, before a decree. The interest of Mrs. Whittier is shown, and she may be made a party to the suit, on such terms as may be adjudged reasonable, upon the motion of the plaintiff before us.
When the proper parties are before the Court, a master will be appointed to state an account with Whittier, since Nov. 17, 1845, exhibiting the sums due to him, by the contract, and the claims he justly has against the estate, for services and expenditures; what property, securities and means, in-
Upon the coming in of the master’s report, the Comt will be enabled to adjust the rights of all interested, and to draw up and enter the proper decretal order.
The bill will be dismissed, as to Ann E. Wendell, Perkins, and Isaac P. Wendell, without costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.