In re Tesson
In re Tesson
Opinion of the Court
.T. C. Cabanne and 8. C. Cabanne have filed their proof of claim against the partnership estate of the bankrupts, to. the allow'anee of which the assignee objects. Edward P. Tesson was executor of the estate of John P. Cabanne (the brother of the petitioner) and placed the fund of that estate now in question in the business of the partnership with the knowledge of the other partner that it was a trust fund. Under the established rule in equity, Edward P. being express trustee, Edward M. would have become implied trustee if he had individually received and used the fund with notice of its true character. As both partners knew and consented to the partnership use of the trust fund, the partnership as such is liable therefor. Downes v. Power, 2 Ball & B. 491; Morgan v. Stephens, 3 Gift. 22G; Hubbell v. Currier, 10 Allen, 333; Belknap v. Belknap, 5 Allen, 468; Wilson v. Moore, 1 Mylne & K. 337; Trull v. Trull, 13 Mylne & K 407; ex parte Watson, 2 Ves. & B. 414; Ex parte Warne, 2 Rose, 413; Smith v. Jameson, 5 Term R. 601. If the partnership were not in bankruptcy, the cases hold that assumpsit could be maintained. But does the fact of its bankruptcy prevent the beneficiaries from pursuing the partnership estate? There is no question here that all beneficial interest in the fund is vested in the petitioners. If they could maintain their action against the partnership when solvent, why not pursue the assets in bankruptcy? But they have already proved their demand separately against Edward P., who was the executor misappropriating the fund, and he has no separate assets. Indeed, he was the sole capitalist of the partnership, into which he placed all of his property. If he had a separate estate applicable to the payment of this demand, more doubt might arise. The cases referred to wherein it is held that a creditor may prove a joint and several demand against both the joint and several estate, and not be compelled, as ruled in the English eases, to elect to which fund he will pursue, are not so full and clear as to be
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re TESSON
- Status
- Published