In re Mason

Applications for the sale, of the real property of infants, under the two acts on that subject, are now becoming so frequent, as to constitute a considerable branch of the business of the court. They are necessarily ex parte. It is the duty of the court therefore to exercise a special vigilance with regard to them ; and it becomes useful also to state the rules which will guide the discretion of the court in the exercise of this jurisdiction.

*123The act of 1814, 37th sess. ch. 108., makes it lawful for the chancellor, on petition setting forth the grounds and reasons of the application, if upon the whole matter he shall think it necessary and proper for the maintenance or education of such infants, in a summary way to direct a sale, &c.

The act of 1815, 38th sess. ch. 105., goes farther, and gives authority to this court to order such sale whenever it shall appear that the “ interest of the infant requires that the “ said lands or terms should be sold,” or will be “ substantially “ promoted” by a sale ; but the act gives no rule to guide the judgment of the court, as to the cases in which sales should be deemed beneficial.

The motive alleged in this case, is, that the capital will produce a higher interest if invested in personalty. Such is'universally the case; and it results from principles of political economy, not necessary to be here discussed. But as the fact is universal,or at least, general, it can not form a proper ground for the proceeding. It can not be admitted, that' infants’ estates are generally to be sold.

Although capital invested in real property, produces a less interest than that which is invested in personal, yet a large proportion of mankind consider the former as most beneficial, and accordingly prefer it. It must be at least as safe and beneficial for infants as for others.

The risk to which the property would be exposed in the sale, and in the reinvestment, forms an obvious objection to the measure in all common cases.

The benefit intended must therefore, be confined to cases of a special character, when the situation of the infants, as regards maintenance and education or other peculiar circumstances, calls for a special interposition. The case of property exposed to waste and dilapidation, may be also a proper one in which to exercise this power.

In the present case, the greater part of the property proposed to be sold, consists of improved farms. As regards that, the petition must be refused. There is included however, a village lot, which is stated to be wholly unproductive. Let an order be entered allowing that lot to be sold.

An enquiry was made from the bar, whether the yule mow *124laid down would include wild lands, in large tracts, totally unproductive, and exposed to waste from the cutting of timber.

The Court said, that it was not intended to be understood, that a sale would be refused in such cases.