Call v. Scott
Call v. Scott
Opinion of the Court
By the transaction which preceded and accompanied the drawing the bills of exchange by Scott on the 27th October, 1773, Field & Call assigned to doctor Field the debt due to them by Scott. As to the amount of the smaller bill, however, it does not appear that any consideration was paid therefor by doctor Field. It must be considered therefore as taken for the benefit of Field Call, and given merely to settle the whole sum due, and to round the transaction. As to the & 1000 for which the larger bill was drawn, another bill was given by doctor Field therefor, payable in Scotland: That bill was assigned by Field & Call to Bland’s trustees, I presume for a full consideration, and thus so far Field & Call got paid the debt due to them by Scott: But the matter rested not there:
But this transaction must not be taken singly; it must be taken in connexion with another, viz. The drawing and enr dorsing Scott’s bills. If Field & Call shall be obliged to pay them (or at least the large one) and be unable to get reimbursement from Scott’s representatives, it is evident they would, in that event, be wholly unpaid, and lose the advantage they had gained by their transfer of doctor Field’s bill to Bland’s trustees. They are apprehensive of danger from this source, and bring their bill on the principle of quia timet> founded on the circumstances of the original transaction, and on the mortgage executed by Scott. They bring their bill as sureties apprehending danger from the insolvency of the principal; and on the just ground for the interposition of equity,' that a man has a right to put an end to an impending danger or incumbrance.
Field & Call then, standing merely in the character of sureties (at least as to the large bill) any vice in the original transaction, or any discharge of the principal or interest of the debt would equally enure to their benefit: Any defence to be made by the drawer might equally be made by them.
The complainants thus standing on a common ground with the defendants in relation to the validity, or discharge of the bill, and being wholly incompetent to represent the holder in respect thereof; however it might be prior to the coming in of the objections to the bill on the part of the defendants, should, when those objections did appear, by making the representatives of doctor Field parties, have put the matter in train for a fair and final adjustment between all parties. Equity delights in doing ultimate and complete justice at once, and preventing a circuity and multiplicity of actions. But whatever might be the decree in
On these grounds, I think the case was not ripe for a decision. The complainants ought to have made doctor Field’s representatives parties, so that their real liability being ascertained, and the court having all the parties to the transaction before them, might be enabled to render complete and final justice.
I think therefore that the chancellor erred in deciding the case in that stage of it. He ought to have given the complainants leave to make the additional parties, on failure of which, within a reasonable time, his bill ought to be dismissed.
This view renders it premature, and perhaps improper to say any thing on the merits of the cause. But as the question of usury has been much laboured, and it may tend to prevent future litigation on this score, I am free to say, that under my present impressions, and upon the now testimony, I do not think that usury can be fairly inferred.
Fleming, Judge. Although usury has not been proved, and it is perfectly clear that Field & Call were bound by their endorsement, I am of opinion, that the plaintiff is not entitled to an immediate decree against the present defendants, as he has not made necessary parties to the bill. For a court of equity delights in doing complete justice; and therefore requires, that all persons having an interest in the controversy should be made parties to the suit, in order that the proper decree may be made between them, and an end put to litigation. Consequently, I am for reversing the decree, and sending the cause back again to the court of chancery, that the proper parties may be made.
The first question is as to the usury. I discover nothing of that character in the transactions: which were fair and open, and agreeable to the constant usage with respect to
The next enquiry is as to the relief.
It is clear that the primary object of all the transactions was payment to Field & Call of a just debt due to them from Scott; and that the same has never been paid, either by him, or by any other person. Scott, indeed, during the month of December 1781, caused £4000 paper money to be tendered to James Field, who refused to receive it: in consequence of which, the money was carried back to Scott, without being deposited any where for safe keeping, so that
This view of the subject renders it unnecessary to bring the representatives of James Field into the present case, as complete justice can be attained without It, and. delay, with an increase of interest and costs, prevented. But a majority of the court think, that those persons ought to have been made parties, and that the following decree should be made:
“ The court is of opinion that the said decree is erroneous in this, that the said high court of chancery, instead of pronouncing that decree, ought to have given leave to the appellant to amend his bill, by making the representatives of James Field parties; which, if not done within a reasonable time, the bill ought to stand dismissed; therefore, it is decreed and ordered, that the decree aforesaid be reversed and annulled, and that the appellees pay to the appellant his costs by him expended in the prosecution of his appeal aforesaid here.”
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.