Dunlap v. Petrie's Executors

35 Miss. 590

• Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
• Decided: October 15, 1858
• Status: Published

Opinion

Handy, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

This bill was filed by the appellants, as part of the distributees of Frederick IT. Petrie, deceased, against the appellees, with three aspects: first, to set aside and annul a certain contract in writing, entered into by and between Frederick H. Petrie and Lemuel W. Petrie, on the ground of undue advantage taken of the former by the latter, in obtaining the execution of the agreement whilst the former was in such a condition, from the long-continued and excessive use of intoxicating drink, as to render him mentally incapable of making such a contract; secondly, to rescind the contract, because Lemuel W. Petrie had failed to perform the acts required to be done by him, and had abandoned it; and, thirdly, if the contract should be held valid, seeking to render the estate of Lemuel W. Petrie liable for a note for five thousand dollars, executed by him and payable to Frederick PI. Petrie, as part of the transaction, and which Lemuel W. Petrie had failed to pay in good faith, but had fraudulently purchased and settled after the death of Frederick H. Petrie.

The grounds upon which the bill, in the first aspect, is sought to be maintained, are the mental imbecility of Frederick H. Petrie, proceeding from habitual intemperance, which it is contended is shown by the testimony of the witnesses examined to prove his mental and physical condition caused by his intemperate habits; by the gross inadequacy of price given by Lemuel W. Petrie in the transaction ; by the great confidence which the former had in the latter, they being brothers, and which placed it in his power to exert an undue influence to his own advantage over the latter; and by the extraordinary character of the contract, in giving Lemuel W; Petrie the power to settle up the estate of Frederick H. Petrie, and retain the funds subject to his order. The record contains much testimony in relation to his habits, and his mental and physical condition, about the time of entering into the contract, and for a considerable time before and after that date; and it is strenuously insisted, in behalf of the appellants, that, upon this testimony, and the evidence in the record touching the point of the inadequacy of the consideration, and considering the fact that he thereby gave up the management of his entire estate to his brother, it is clear that Frederick H. Petrie was incapable of making a valid contract, and that this contract was obtained by undue influence, and taking advantage of his imbecility.

But, although much attention appears to have been given to this branch of the case, both in the court below, and in this court, we do not consider it material or necessary to express an opinion, whether or not, upon the grounds relied on, the contract should be vacated and annulled as fraudulent, as the case is here presented by the record. For, in our opinion, the appellants are concluded by their own acts from setting up any claim to the estate of Frederick H. Petrie, embraced in the contract in question, and sought to be recovered by this bill.

It is alleged, in the answer of the appellees, that in the year 1847, the appellants filed their bill in chancery, charging that the purchase of the property embraced in this contract, was made by Lemuel W. Petrie from Frederick H. Petrie, by means of the funds of the estate of William Petrie, deceased, of which they were executors, and claiming that the property so purchased should be held to belong to the estate, and be applied to the benefit of the appellants, thereby recognizing the validity of the contract; and that, in settlement of that suit, and also of a controversy which the appellants were about to commence in the Probate Court, for the purpose of investigating the correctness of the accounts of these executors, the appellants entered into a contract with Lemuel W. Petrie, dated 5th March, 1847. This contract is exhibited with the answer, and, in the first place, it relinquishes to Lemuel W. Petrie all claim and interest which they had in the estate of William Petrie ; 2d. It relinquishes to him “ any right or claim they might have to any portion of F. H. Petrie’s interest in said estate, or in any debt due or owing by said estate to F. II. Petrie3d. It released the executors from all claims and demands which they had or might have against them, on account of the estate ; 4th. It de-dares that it was the intention of the parties, “ to release to said Lemuel W. Petrie, any right they may have to the interest of F. H. Petrie in said estate, or daim on the sameand this contract and settlement states, that it is made in consideration of the sum of twenty thousand dollars, paid partly in cash, and the balance secured to be paid to the appellants, representing two of the original distributees of William Petrie; ten thousand dollars being paid to each interest. It further states that the settlement is to be carried out, by a decree to be entered in conformity to it, in the suit in chancery. It also appears by the record, that upon the final settlement by Lemuel W. Petrie and Frederick H. Petrie, as executors of William Petrie, to which these appellants were made parties, this settlement was adopted, and its terms carried out, in the decree of the Court of Probates.

Thus it appears that these complainants, by their previous bill in chancery, claimed the right to have the property conveyed by Frederick H. Petrie to Lemuel W. Petrie, appropriated to their use, as having been obtained by the latter by the funds of the estate, and that they were so far successful as to obtain a compromise of the suit, by which they received the sum of twenty thousand dollars. After such a proceeding, they would scarcely be heard to say, that the contract which they had treated as valid, and from which they had received a substantial benefit, by compromise of a claim founded upon it, and at the hands of the party beneficially interested in it, is void as to that party. They certainly cannot be permitted to enjoy the benefit which they have derived from the contract, as a valid one, and then change their position and have the contract declared, fraudulent and void, and have the property conveyed by it decreed to their use.

But, further, it also appears by their written agreement and compromise, that they relinquished to Lemuel W. Petrie, all their right and claim to any portion of Frederick H. Petrie’s interest in William Petrie’s estate, or in any debt due F. H. Petrie from that estate. These rights, thus released, constitute the basis of the present bill; and the main ground of complaint is, that Lemuel W. Petrie, gave a grossly inadequate consideration for F. H. Petrie’s interest and distributive share in William Petrie’s estate, and for the mortgage which F. H. Petrie held against that estate, there being no other debt shown to have been due from that estate to him. Having, for a valuable consideration, released to Lemuel W. Petrie all claim and right which they might have upon these accounts, it is manifest that they are concluded thereby from now impeaching his title, for they have solemnly parted with all interest in the subject-matter upon which they now seek to recover ; and while this transfer of their right remains in force, it is clear that they are estopped from setting up any right in opposition to it.

But it is said that Frederick H. Petrie was alive when this settlement was made, and, as these appellants had no interest in his estate at that time, that they could not have intended to transfer any interest. This is explained by circumstances apparent in the case. Frederick H. Petrie had then conveyed his interest in William Petrie’s estate, and his mortgage against the estate, to Lemuel W. Petrie, and that was not only known to the appellants, but' the assignment was the subject-matter of the suit, which led to the compromise in question. As Lemuel W. Petrie was then claiming Frederick H. Petrie’s interest in the estate, it was proper, that these appellants, in settling all claim which they had, or might have against the estate of William Petrie, in the hands of Lemuel W. Petrie, who, in consequence of these arrangements, became the owner of the entire estate, should release all claim or right in the estate, which they might have through Frederick H. Petrie. And that is what they plainly and explicitly did, by the contract and settlement, made by them with Lemuel W. Petrie.

It is suggested, that the appellants had no authority to make this compromise and release; but the ground of this position is not stated. So far as the appellants, Dunlap and wife, are concerned, there can be no doubt of their capacity to do the act; and as to the infant appellants, it appears that they were represented by their guardian, duly appointed; that the compromise was for their benefit, and was sanctioned by the Chancery Court, in which the bill filed in their behalf was pending; that it was also adopted and sanctioned by the Probate Court, in the settlement of the accounts of the executors, in which the appellants were benefited by avoiding litigation, and obtaining ample satisfaction of all claim against William Petrie’s estate, including their demand upon the ground of the use of the funds of the estate, by Lemuel W. Petrie, in the purchase from Frederick H. Petrie. Under such circumstances, the infant appellants would not be permitted to come into equity, and to treat that compromise as simply void, and that without even showing any reason why they should hot be bound by it, after having received the benefit of it.

For these reasons, it is manifest, that the appellants cannot be permitted to impeach the validity of the title of the appellees’ testator ; and in the attitude which they occupy, it is immaterial, whether the contract of Frederick H. Petrie was obtained by undue influence or not.

The next ground of relief set up in the bill, is, that Lemuel W. Petrie, failed to perform the duties stipulated in the contract, to be performed by him, and thereby forfeited the benefits secured to him by the provisions of it. This depends upon the terms and stipulations of the contract.

The first clause provides, that Lemuel W. Petrie is to settle up the estate of F. H. Petrie, as soon as possible, without sacrifice, and retain the funds subject to his order. By the second, Lemuel W. Petrie is to use his best exertions to collect a claim of F. H. Petrie, against one Moss, for $30,000, and when collected, one-half of it is to belong to each of them. By the third, Lemuel W. Petrie is to go or send to Texas, and ascertain the value, &e., of certain land held by F. H. Petrie, in connection with two other persons, and that interest was to be equally divided between them. By the fourth, F. H. Petrie relinquishes to Lemuel W. Petrie, all his right, title, and interest, in the estate of William Petrie. The fifth clause provides, that in consideration of the foregoing, L. W. Petrie had, on that day, paid to F. H. Petrie, one thousand dollars, and executed his notes and a bill of exchange, amounting to $16,000, due 1st January, 1847, 1st January, 1848, and 1st January, 1849. It was further provided, that the next winter, or as early as practicable, F. H. Petrie should convey to Lemuel W. Petrie, the plantation called the Teizer place, then in the possession of the former. The contract bears date, 1st April, 1846.

It is contended, in behalf of the appellants, that the obligation to collect the debt against Moss, and to ascertain the value and location of the Texas land, or to use due diligence to perform those duties, were essential parts of the entire contract; that it must be taken as a whole, and if those parts of it were not performed, the whole contract was in law abandoned. But this position is clearly not tenable.

The provisions of the second and third clauses, appear to be independent of the clauses in relation to his interest in William Petrie’s estate, and the conveyance of the Yeizer plantation. By the former, he is allowed an interest of one-half of the debt, and one-half of the land for the services he might perform in relation.to them. His interest in them depended upon his rendering the services. But the transfer of his interest in the estate, was present and absolute, and for a valuable'consideration, and the conveyance.of the plantation was also absolute, and to be made the next winter, or as early as practicable. These acts appear to be wholly distinct from the former. They are fixed and certain, in their nature, and as to the time of taking effect; and there appears to be nothing in them, which would render the enjoyment of the rights, secured by them, dependent upon the acts referred to in the previous clauses.

This ground of relief cannot, therefore, be maintained.

The remaining ground of relief is, that the appellees are liable to pay the balance due upon a note for five thousand dollars, executed by Lemuel W. Petrie, as part of the consideration of: his purchase under the contract.

It appears by the record, that Frederick H. Petrie died in the year 1848, in Memphis, Tennessee, and that this note did not become due until January, 1849. Administration was afterwards granted in the State of Louisiana upon his estate; and, under the order of the proper court there, this note was sold and purchased by one Oakey, for a very small amount, at a regular judicial sale; and afterwards, Lemuel W. Petrie, took up and discharged the note, by arrangement 'with' Oakey, for the sum of $1500.

The first ground-upon which relief, in this respect, is sought, is, that the proceedings in the court in Louisiana, under which the sale of the note took place, were void for want of notice, either actual or constructive, to the appellants who were absent parties in interest; because although an attorney was appointed to represent the absent heirs when the first curator'was appointed, yet that, upon that curator’s resignation, and upon the appointment of the succeeding curator, wbo was acting as such when the order of sale was made, there was no further attorney appointed to represent the absent heirs, and no one competent to receive notice, so as to affect the appellants. This position is founded on the idea, that the attorney originally appointed to represent absent heirs under the laws of Louisiana, does not continue his functions throughout the administration, and that if one curator is discharged, a new attorney must thereupon be appointed to represent the absent heirs. But such appears not to be the law of Louisiana. The attorney, in such eases, appears to hold a position distinct from the curator, and his duty seems to be to see that the rights of absent parties in interest, sustain no injury at the hands of the curator. Instead of being connected with'the curator, his duties place him .in a position of restraint upon the curator. Accordingly, the statutes of that State make no provision for the appointment of another attorney, unless the one first appointed dies, or is discharged. And it is provided, that when the attorney is appointed, he shall represent the absent heirs in all acts required to be done involving their interest: and that when the curator is dismissed, the attorney appointed to represent the absent heirs, shall sue him. Civil Code, arts. 1151, 1205, 1212.

Again, it is insisted, that Lemuel W. Petrie was under peculiar obligations of trust and confidence, arising from the terms of the contract between him and his brother, by which he was bound to settle up his estate, and to deal justly with his brother; and that it was a violation of these duties not to pay the note when it became due, and to permit it to be sold at the great sacrifice at which it was sold, and afterwards to discharge it by paying but a small part of it.

There appears to be no evidence of collusion between Oakey and Lemuel W. Petrie, in the purchase of the note. On the contrary, it is proved by Oakey, that he purchased it on his own account, and did not know Petrie at the time. F. H. Petrie died before it became due, and it was not in the hands of his administrator, in Hinds county, where he resided. It does not appear that Lemuel W. Petrie had any knowledge that the note was in New Orleans, until after the sale at which Oakey purchased it; and there appears to be no evidence to show, that he had any knowledge where the note was, until he learned that it was held by Oakey. It might have been transferred by Frederick H. Petrie to unknown hands, or it might have been lost or destroyed. Under such circumstances, there appears to be nothing in the case to warrant the belief that Lemuel W. Petrie was guilty of negligence, and much less of breach of good faith, in not paying the note before the sale to Oakey.

It is said, that he had notice that the note was in New Orleans, or at least sufficient to put him upon inquiry, by the fact that Oakey wrote to him from New Orleans, to know if he would administer on his brother’s estate in Louisiana. But that letter had no reference to this note, and contained nothing from which it could he inferred that the note was there. It was written to learn whether he would administer on his brother’s estate in Louisiana, and pay to Oakey a debt due him by F. II. Petrie, secured by a mortgage on land in a part of that State distant from New Orleans. The real subject of the letter was the debt due to Oakey; and it was impossible, from its contents, for any rational mind to be led to think, that a note due to F. H. Petrie Avas in the city of New Orleans. There is, therefore, no wrong to be imputed to Lemuel W. Petrie for not paying the note before the sale.

After the purchase by Oakey, the right and title to the note were vested in him. He became the creditor of Lemuel W. Petrie, and all interest of F. PI. Petrie’s estate in the note was divested. If Petrie had paid the full amount of it to Oakey, it could not have benefited the estate of F. II. Petrie. He had the right to make whatever settlement of it might be agreed upon between him and Oakey; and, as F. PI. Petrie’s estate had no further interest in it, such settlement could not operate to the prejudice of that estate, and could not be held to have been made by Lemuel W. Petrie in bad faith to that estate.

Upon consideration of the whole case, we think that the decree dismissing the bill is correct, and must be affirmed.

Decree affirmed.