Slacum v. Simms & Wise

Syllabus

A magistrate who has received a deed of trust from *an Insolvent debtor, ‘which deed is fraudulent in law as to creditors, is incompetent to sit as a magistrate in the discharge of the debtor under the insolvent law of Virginia. And thedischargeso obtained is not

ERROR to the circuit court for the district of Columbia, sitting at Alexandria.

The former judgment of the court below having oeen reversed in this court at February term 1806, ante, vol. 3. p. 300. and remanded for further pro.ceedings, the following statement of facts, in the nature of a special verdict, was agreed upon by the parties.

That the defendants executed the bond in the declaration mentioned. That the defendant Simms, being in custody under the execution mentioned in

a discharge ^ course

the condition of the bond, áfterwards obtained hia dis charge as an insolvent'debtor, by authqrity qf the áct of assembly of Virginia, entitled “ A-* act in for reducing into one the several acts concerning ex-»/ccut}or,Sj anel for the relief of insolvent debitors.” That he was discharged ffom the prison bounds by warrant from'Amos Alexander and Peter-Wise, jun. two of the aldermen or justices of the corporation of Alexandria,s before whom Simms delivered in a schedule of his estate, and took the oath of an inr solvent debtor in the manner prescribed by the act, and being so discharged, he departed out of- prison bounds, apd not before, or in any other manner. That the defendant, Peter Wise, jun. is the same Peter Wise who acted as one of the justices, and who signed the warrant of discharge,, and that Simms, before taking the oath, executed a deed conveying all his property, real and personal, to-John Wise, and the said-Peter Wise, in trust, for the benefit of the creditors oi Simms, who, notwithstanding the - said deed, afterwards, and after- hi? discharge, exercised acts of ownership over the property: That Petfer Wise never acted under the deed of trust. Thai the deed of trust was made by Simms with a view of preventing the effect of the plaintiff’s execution, and was fraudulent in law, but such fraud was without the participation of the said Peter Wise; and without his privity, other than that the said deed was exhibited to the said magistrates, and discussed by- counsel before them, at the time the schedule was delivered, and the oath administered.

That no escape .warrant was ever applied for in consequence of Simms’s departing from the prison bounds»

That if the law be for the plaintiff as to both defendants, or either of them, judgment to be entered for 2,570 dollars and 90 cents, to be discharged by the payment of 1,820 dollars and 20 -cents, damages and costs against ?uch defendant or defendants severally; but if the law be for either, or both of the defendants,

then judgment to be entered for such defendant or defendants severally.

The schedule inferred to in the statement, was as follows: “ I have neither real or personal property, but what has been conveyed, by a deed of trust to John Wise and Peter Wise, jun._for the use of my creditors, as will appear, reference being had to said deed.

(Signed) “ Jesse Simms.

“ August 30th, 1800.”

The court below decided the law for both defendants}, and the plaintiff sued out his writ of error.

The case now presented is different from what it ’formerly was. It will now be contended that Simms Was not discharged by due course of law.

1. Because Simms was guilty of fraud in effecting his discharge, and Wise knew it; and, by his conduct, contributed to assist him in it. Fraud issa question of law and fact. It is-not' necessary that it should be expressly averred. It is an inference of law from the facts. Russel v. Hamilton, 1 Cranch, 309 . 1 Burr. 396. 474. 3 Co. 77. 79. Fenner’s case, Esp. N. P. 245. Buller, 173.

2. Because Wise was not competent to act as a magistrate in discharging Samirns. He was directly interested} for by discharging Simms he discharged-himself from the obligation of his bond. An interested person is not competent to act as a judge. 12 Mod. 669. flood’s case. Com. Dig. tit. Justices, I. 3.

The defendant .must show all the proceedings to be regular and correct. It is not like the case of a

judgment of a competent court, which will be affirmed unless the error be apparent on the proceedings.,

The proceedings aré in pais, there can be no 'Writ of error. This is .the Only mode in which the procedure can.be corrected.

Fraud is never to be presumed; and it is not found. It was a mere ministerial act, v/hich is not void by reason of interest.

This is hot the mode by which the plaintiff can avail himself of the fraud, if it be one. The discharge is prima facie good.

It is expressly found that Wise did not particir pate in the fraud which Simms contemplated by his deed. He never acted under the deed as a trustee. His only knowledge of the fact was in his capacity of magistrate. As a magistrate he had ho discretion; he was bound to grant the warrant of discharge upon, the debtor’s taking the oath, and delivering the schedule.

All thé authorities cited in Comyns’ Digest confine the incompetence to cases where the judge is a party upon record.

If a legal .proceeding of this kind may be vacated at any subsequent time, by showing a remote collateral interest in the magistrate, there can be ho security for própérty. The distinction is between a direct interest as. party, and a consequential interest. If the interest do not appear upon the record, the only remedy is by prohibition. As long as the, proceeding remains unreversed by a competent tribunal, it is valid. Hard, 503. Brooks v. Earl of Rivers. 12 Co. 114. Earl of Darby’s case. Dyer, 220. a. Sir N. Bacon’s case. 1 Leon. 184. Cro. Eliz. 717. Errish v. Reeves. 8 Co. 118. Bonham’s case. Co. Litt. 141. 4 Com. Dig’, tit. Justices, J & T. 1 Salk. 398. 12 Mod. 587. 2 Salk.

425. Queen v. Rodgers. 2 Salk. 607. Sty. 137. Smith v. Hancock. Sty. 209.

It is immaterial whether it be a ministerial or a judicial act. Sheriffs, witnesses, jurors are all rendered incompetent by interest; and a fortiori is a judge.