Struthers v. Smith

This action was brought on a contract dated November 6, 1893, by which the defendant promised to pay to the plaintiff’s assignors $17,500 three years after date, with interest semiannually at the rate of six per cent. The contract contains a provision that, in case any installment of interest remains unpaid for thirty days, the entire principal sum shall'then become immediately due and payable. The defendant failed to pay the interest, and this action was brought to recover the principal and interest. The sole defense interposed was that there was no consideration for the agreement. In 1892 the American Laetos Company, a corporation, was organized under the laws of New Jersey, with an authorized capital of $350,000, divided into shares of $100 each. The defendant was the promoter of this corporation, and after its organization became a director and the president thereof, transferring to it several factories owned by him, for which he received $50,000 of the capital stock. Stephen E. Struthers was a trustee for certain persons for whose benefit he held trust funds, $18,000 of which he, without authority, invested in the shares or the corporation. The money was received by the defendant, who caused the certificates for shares to be issued to Stephen E. Struthers as trustee. Subsequently the beneficiaries under the trust discovered the misappropriation of their funds, and threatened to bring an action against the corporation to recover the Sums so invested, and after considerable negotiation the defendant, acting under the advice of counsel, for the purpose of avoiding an action, executed and delivered the contract on which this action was brought. It is well settled that the discharge by A. of a doubtful claim against