Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States
Reynes v. Dumont
Reynes v. Dumont, 130 U.S. 354 (1889)
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- Opinion
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- Supreme Court of the United States
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Date
- 1889-04-15
- Topic
- general
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- holding that a party who appears in court and consents to a hearing and adjudication of an issue “may be estopped from thereafter and in an appellate court challenging such jurisdiction.”
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REYNES v. DUMONT,130 U.S. 354(1889)
9 S.Ct. 486
REYNESv. DUMONT.
DUMONTv. FRY.
APPEALS FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.
Nos. 174, 175.
Argued January 23, 24, 1889.
Decided April 8, 1889.
On the 14th of June, 1877, Frederick Dumont, August Henry Reine, and John David Moekel, who composed the firm of F. Dumont Co., filed their bill in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York against Charles M. Fry, trustee of Schuchardt Sons, bankrupts; Francois Laborde and E.H. Reynes, assignees of Charles Cavaroc Son, bankrupts; the Louisiana National Bank of New Orleans, and N.W. Casey, receiver of the New Orleans National Banking Association, claiming to be the owners of two hundred and thirty-two bonds of the city of New Orleans, each for the amount of one thousand dollars, which had been in the possession of Schuchardt Sons and were then in thePage 356possession of Fry, their trustee in bankruptcy, who also held moneys received from the coupons attached to the said bonds; and by amendment set forth that the bonds were purchased by Cavaroc Son with the money of Dumont Co., for their joint account, but not in the name of Dumont Co., nor in the joint names of Dumont Co. and Cavaroc Son; that Fry, trustee, refused to deliver up the bonds, and claimed to hold them as security for sums due him from Cavaroc Son and Casey, as receiver; and that Fry is not entitled to hold the bonds. The bill prays that he be decreed to deliver them up, with the money received from the sale of coupons cut therefrom, and for further relief.
Fry claimed to hold the bonds upon a banker's lien for a balance of account due Schuchardt Sons by Cavaroc Son, and upon a lien by agreement for an unsecured balance due by the New Orleans National Banking Association, to the extent of $100,000. A decree was rendered December 6, 1882, sustaining the liens asserted by the defendant Fry, and directing him to account as to the amount of the same and of certain coupons which he had collected.
March 5, 1884, a final decree was entered, adjudging the amounts due on account of the alleged liens respectively, and directing that so much of the said bonds as might be necessary to pay the same, with interest, should be sold under the direction of the master. This was done, and Fry was paid the amount of said liens, and the balance was turned over to Dumont Co. and Reynes, surviving assignee, Laborde having died pending the action.
The master's final report was confirmed February 11, 1885, and appeals were prosecuted by Dumont Co. and Reynes, surviving assignee, to this court.
The following facts appear in evidence:
Schuchardt Sons were bankers at the city of New York during the period covered by the transactions in question, and correspondents and financial agents of Cavaroc Son, who were engaged in the commission and banking business in the city of New Orleans. Charles Cavaroc, the senior member of the latter firm, was at the same time president of the NewPage 357Orleans National Banking Association, with which Schuchardt Sons had similar business relations. Two hundred and seventy-five bonds of the city of New Orleans, a large part of them belonging to Dumont Co., though it is not shown that Schuchardt Sons had notice of this, were left by Cavaroc Son with Schuchardt Sons in September, 1870, the number having been subsequently reduced to two hundred and thirty-two.
The bonds were purchased in 1870, with the proceeds of drafts on Dumont Co. to the amount of about a million francs, which had been renewed from time to time until after the failure of Cavaroc Son, when Dumont Co. paid them to the amount of 484,000 francs. Cavaroc Son had negotiated drafts for 200,000 francs on Dumont Co., with Schuchardt Sons, shortly before the failure, growing out of the original purchase of bonds, and these not having been paid were charged back to Cavaroc Son by Schuchardt Sons, thereby contributing to produce a debit balance of $7454.22 on January 12, 1874, although protested drafts on Maxquelier Fils for $6562.23 were also included.
These drafts for 200,000 francs had been accepted by Dumont Co., and were protested not for non-acceptance but for non-payment; and an action was commenced January 3, 1874, by Schuchardt Sons against Dumont Co. on their acceptances in the Supreme Court of New York, and an attachment levied on the bonds in question here, in the hands of Schuchardt Sons. Satisfaction of recovery in this suit would more than pay the debit balance of Cavaroc Son as finally stated in these proceedings.
It was stipulated between the attorney for Dumont Co. and the attorneys for the assignee of Cavaroc Son, that the balance of the bonds and moneys to be paid over after the liens awarded by the court were satisfied, should be divided in the proportion of seventy-four per cent to Dumont Co. and twenty-six per cent to Cavaroc Son.
Both the Cavarocs testify that the bonds were left with Schuchardt Sons for safe-keeping, Cavaroc, Jr., referring to a particular loan on them in the fall of 1870, which led to theirPage 358being sent to New York, where they then remained on account of the heavy express charge, and the fact that New York was a better market in which to dispose of them; but Wells, a member of Schuchardt Sons, testifies:
"On the 20th of September, 1870, we deposited with M. Morgan's Sons the above $275,000 New Orleans bonds against a loan made by them of $200,000 to the Bank of New Orleans, and $110,000 to C. Cavaroc as part collateral for those loans. On the 21st December, 1870, M. Morgan's Sons returned us the above bonds against the payment of the two loans. On the 6th of March, 1871, we delivered $5000 of the above bonds to Henry Beers by order of C. Cavaroc. On the 1st of April, 1871, we delivered $160,000 of above bonds to Marks Febre by order of C. Cavaroc. On the 29th of May, 1871, we delivered $110,000 of above bonds to M. Morgan's Sons against a loan of $100,000. On the 30th May, 1871, Marks Febre returned us above $160,000 bonds, against which we loaned Cavaroc $100,000, falling due 2nd of October, 1871. On the 2nd of October, 1871, M. Morgan's Sons returned us the $110,000 bonds on payment of their loan. On the 27th of February, 1872, we forwarded to Cavaroc, at New Orleans, $8000 of above bonds as per his order. On the 13th of April, 1872, we delivered $160,000 of above bonds to Importers and Traders' National Bank of this city by order of Cavaroc. On the 28th of June, 1872, the Importers and Traders' National Bank returned us the above $160,000 bonds. On the 31st of August, 1872, we delivered $30,000 of above bonds to Spofford Brothers Co. by order of Cavaroc. On the 27th of May, 1873, we delivered $50,000 of the above bonds to the Importers and Traders' National Bank of New York by order of Cavaroc. On the 3d of September, 1873, the Importers and Traders' National Bank returned the above $50,000 bonds."
He considers that the bonds were held by his firm for any balances that the New Orleans National Banking Association might owe, and says that Schuchardt Sons held them up to the time they were pledged to the bank as security for "whatever Cavaroc Son might be indebted for," but that they had no written authority to hold the bonds collaterally for the bank'sPage 359indebtedness, that he knew of, other than the letter of Cavaroc, Senior, of February 15, 1873, hereinafter set forth. He testifies, however, that there was "a general understanding to that effect arrived at with (in) conversations with C. Cavaroc, Jr., at different times when he was in New York; among others, in August or September, 1873," although in another portion of his evidence he says: "I think they were alluded to in 1873, during his visit to New York, in the fall of 1873. I feel quite confident they were alluded to in 1873," which is "as positive" as he "can be upon the subject." Any such understanding is specifically denied by Cavaroc, Jr., who asserts that he —
"Never made any agreement, verbal or otherwise, in reference to the bonds, with Mr. Wells or any one else, and never made with Mr. Wells or any one living any agreement or arrangement about the bonds or any other bonds to be held as general security in matters with the New Orleans National Banking Association, or even C. Cavaroc Son; never had any conversation with Mr. Wells about the bonds in any manner whatever, outside of a remark, as above stated, in the summer of 1873, to know if our trust was all right in their vault, which any merchant would pass upon in conversation to be certain that no accident happened to the trust or deposit for safe-keeping."
The New Orleans National Banking Association dealt largely in foreign bills of exchange, which it negotiated through Schuchardt Sons. By the course of business the amount of the foreign bills it remitted from time to time to Schuchardt Sons was credited by the latter to the former, and the latter drew upon the former from time to time as funds were required. According to the custom of business at New Orleans, advances are made by bankers to shippers in anticipation of the actual delivery of drafts with accompanying documents, and the New Orleans Bank consequently advanced funds before it could remit drafts, so as to be credited by Schuchardt Sons with their amount. For the mutual profit of both concerns the bank had at times been permitted by Schuchardt and Sons to draw in advance of remittances. Cavaroc Son were notPage 360only bankers but large shippers of cotton abroad, and drew against the proceeds of their bills of exchange, which were accompanied by bills of lading.
On the 4th of December, 1871, Schuchardt Sons wrote the cashier of the New Orleans National Banking Association the following letter:
"NEW YORK,Dec. 4th, 1871.
N. AUGUSTINE, Esq., Cashier New Orleans Banking Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry about drawing in advance against purchases of exchange we beg to say that we granted that facility at a time when your foreign exchange business with us was much more extensive and consequently more remunerative than at present, and when we held as security a deposit of N.O. city bonds. We were, moreover, induced to make these advances (although, as we explained at the time, we could make a much more lucrative use of the money by using it here) on the assurance of Mr. Cavaroc that you would only temporarily require such facilities, and that your business would increase to such an extent that the future would largely compensate us for any present sacrifices. To our regret, however, such has not been the case, and your business, instead of increasing, has greatly diminished. However, in order to evince our desire of doing all in our power to contribute to the development of our correspondence, we hereby authorize you to draw upon us in advance of remittances to the extent of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars), with the understanding that such drafts are to represent exchange bought and paid for. We presume also that when the loan of the Trust Co., which falls due on the 21st inst., will be paid the securities will be replaced in our possession."
February 6, 1873, the cashier of the bank wrote Schuchardt Sons:Page 361
"NEW ORLEANS,Feb'y6, 1873.
"Mess. F. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Are we still authorized to draw,à découvert, $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,) against purchases of exchange advised by wire?
H.T. BLACHE, Cashier."
To which Schuchardt Sons replied:
"NEW YORK,Feb'y11, 1873.
"HENRY BLACHE, Esq., Cashier of the N.O. National Banking Association, New Orleans:
"The credit of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars)àdécouvertwas predicated upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled.
F. SCHUCHARDT SONS."
Whereupon the cashier answered:
"NEW ORLEANS,February15th, 1873.
"Messrs. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Your letter of December 4th, 1871, authorized us to draw, in advance of remittance, to the extent of $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,) represented by purchases of exchange, advised by telegraph. There was no mention of a deposit of city bonds to guarantee such overdraft, and we have been acting ever since under the impression that the credit was still in force. We now note that it is cancelled, and beg leave to refer you to the private letter of the president on the subject.
H.T. BLACHE, Cashier."
And on the same day, the president, Cavaroc, wrote Schuchardt Sons a letter which he gives thus:
"NEW ORLEANS,February15th, 1873.
"Mess. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"In your letter of the 11th instant you say: `The credit of $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,)à découvert, was predicatedPage 362upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled.' You know that exchange at New Orleans is purchased by making advances until such time as the drafts are delivered, and it was with view of making our mutual transactions more active that we asked this credit, `à découvert,' at the time. In view of your remark I have nothing to say, except to authorize you to consider a portion of the bonds belonging to my firm, which you have in your possession, as collateral security in case you should not be covered (en cas de découvert).
C. CAVAROC,Pres't."
On behalf of Fry the following was introduced as the original:
"NEW ORLEANS,The15Février, 1873.
"Messieurs F. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Messieurs Amis: Dans votre lettre du 11 ct. vous dites: `The credit of $100 Mà découvertwas predicated upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled.'
"Vous savez que le changeàNew Orléans est acheté en faisant des avances jusqu'à ce que les traites soient livrées et c'est afin d'activer nos rapports que nous vous avions demandé, à l'époque, ce découvert.
"Devant votre observation, il n'y a rien à dire si ce n'est de vous autoriser à considérer comme sécurité collatérale une partie des `bonds' que vous avez à ma maison, en cas de découvert.
"Votre dévoué, C. CAVAROC."
And which is translated by Mr. Wells as follows:
"NEW ORLEANS, 15February, 1873.
"Messrs. F. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Dear Sirs: In your letter of 11th inst. you say `the credit of $100 | Mà découvertwas predicated upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled.'Page 363
"You are aware that exchange is purchased at New Orleans by making advances until the delivery of the drafts, and it was for the purpose of giving activity to our correspondence that we at the time requested thisdécouvert.
"In the face of your observation there is nothing to say except to authorize you to consider a part of my firm's bonds which you have as collateral security in case of (unsecured — uncovered) balance of account.
"Yours truly, C. CAVAROC."
Schuchardt Sons replied:
"NEW YORK,Feb. 27, 1873.
"To the cashier of the New Orleans Banking Association, New Orleans:
"In reply to your worthy president's letter of the 15th inst., we take pleasure in authorizing you, in accordance with the terms therein stated, to value on us `à découvert' for a sum not exceeding as maximum $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) against exchange purchases.
F. SCHUCHARDT SONS."
In the summer of 1873, Cavaroc, Jr., had two interviews with Wells, in New York, on his way to and from Europe, at which nothing was said about these bonds "outside of a possible remark, to be positive, that nothing had happened to our trust in their hands," but the subject of the amount of exchange Schuchardt Sons would be willing to negotiate for the firm or the bank was mentioned, an agreement arrived at to limit certain lines of credit, and a memorandum drawn up by Wells, in French, or partly in French and partly in English, as follows:
"Not more than £ 10 | M per week on Hambro. " " " fr. 200 | M on first bankers of Paris.
"As much business paper (in French,effets de commerce) as shall be desired, we reserving the right (as much in the interest of the bank as in our own) to limit the amounts on any one house.
"When the bank sends the drafts of the bank on third partiesPage 364(Havre, Bordeaux, Marseilles, etc., etc.) it must put in the hands of Messrs. C.C. Son, in trust, a deposit of securities, there to remain until the acceptance or the payment, if we deem proper to await the payment.
"Seignouret's line, fr. 500 | M (for bank and C.C. Son)."
This must have been, Wells says, the latter part of August or the early part of September, 1873, and this is confirmed by the evidence of Cavaroc, Jr., that he arrived in New Orleans "the first part of September."
Mr. Wells thinks he received a letter from Mr. Cavaroc dated on or about September 15, and that he answered under date of September 19, 1873, and Cavaroc produces a letter, as follows:
"NEW YORK,Sept. 19, 1873.
"MY DEAR MR. CAVAROC:
"I have sufficiently explained to you on your last visit here, that we should prefer receiving from the bank only such paper as it should have purchased, and, after mature consideration and consultation with Mr. Schuchardt, who has returned some days since, we have determined to request the bank to limit its exchange business with us to the forwarding of such drafts made by third parties as it shall deem proper to purchase, and we beg you so to inform the bank. . . . We hope that the bank shall give great activity to its operations on the above basis, and, in order to assist it as much as possible, we still authorize it to draw against purchases of exchange, and in advance of the remittances, to the extent of $100,000, on the conditions specified in the letter of Mr. Cavaroc of 15th February last.
"Believe me, my dear sir and friend, yours most devotedly,
"LAWRENCE WELLS.
"Money was loaned until to-morrow @ 1½ per cent; and you will readily understand that it is no fun to be out of money, as we are now. The system which I propose to you above will in a measure remedy this, because we can draw as soon as we shall receive your telegram advising purchases."
An extract from the minute-book of the bank, September 20, 1873, reads as follows:Page 365
"CALLED MEETING.
"NEW ORLEANS NAT. BANKING ASS'N, "NEW ORLEANS,Sept. 20th, 1873.
"Present: C. Cavaroc, Pres't.; A. Tertrou, J. Aldige, John Rocchi, H.A. Mouton, P.S. Wiltz, L. Haas, Jr.
"The president stated that the object of the meeting was to inform the board of the unpleasant state of affairs in general, and particularly of the panic then prevailing in New York.
"The suspension of Jay Cooke Co., which was already announced, and which no doubt would be followed by many others, would surely tend to increase the present uneasiness and render our money market still more stringent. He would therefore ask the board to suggest or adopt such measures as in their judgment they would think expedient to avert the impending crisis; whereupon it was unanimously —
"Resolved, That all precautionary measures to be taken be left entirely to the discretion of the president, the board hereby ratifying all that may be done by him. It is further —
"Resolved, That with a view of securing the president against any eventual loss of the 232 7 per cent city of New Orleans bonds belonging to the firm of C. Cavaroc Son, and actually pledged to F. Schuchardt Sons, agents of the bank at New York, as collateral security for the payment of all foreign exchange bills sent them for negotiation and by them indorsed, that he be, and is hereby, authorized to select as guarantee from the portfolio of the bank such papers as he may think proper, to the extent of ($100,000) one hundred thousand dollars.
"On motion it is further —
"Resolved, That the board hereby tender their thanks for the aid he is individually lending by leaving undisturbed a large cash balance, ($80,000) eighty thousand dollars, standing to the credit of C. Cavaroc Son on the books of the bank.
"And the board adjourned."
October 4, 1873, the bank and Cavaroc Son failed. N.W. Casey was appointed receiver of the bank, and François Laborde and Edward H. Reynes, assignees of CavarocPage 366Son. Schuchardt Sons were adjudicated bankrupts February 19, 1876, and Charles M. Fry was appointed their trustee in bankruptcy.
The balance due from the New Orleans Bank to Schuchardt Sons on October 4, 1873, the date of the failure, adding $3.20 interest, from October 1, was $4125.12, which was increased, by charging back protested drafts or acceptances and some minor items, to $197,501.35, as per the following account:
DR.N.W. Casey, Receiver New Orleans Nat'l Banking Assoc. 1873. Charles M. Fry, trustee.
Oct'r 1. To balance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4121 92 4. " days interest on $4121.92, @ 7 per cent. . . . . . . . . . . 3 20 7. " unpaid rem. on Nat'l. Park Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 86 9. " protest charges on rem. on Phila., $156.75 . . . . . . . . . 2 06 14. " " " " " $100. . . . . . . . . . . 2 06 24. " " " " $230.47 $130. . . . . . . . . . . 4 12 28. " protested drafts on G. Honorat Co. at Marseilles . . . . . . f'cs 150,000 10 per cent damages . . . . 15,000 ___________ f'cs 165,000 — 487½ 33,846 15
Nov'r 17. " unpaid acceptances of S. Frank Co . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500 00 " protest charges on same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 31
Dec'r 29. " protested drafts on Seignouret Frères Co., Bordeaux, p'ble per Paris f'cs 250,000 10 per cent damages . . . . . 25,000 ___________ f'cs 275,000 — 487½ 56,410 26
1874. Jan'y 12. " protested drafts on A. Dutfoy Co. at Paris . . . . . f'cs 200,000 29 Nov'r, 73. 155,000 10 Dec., " 35,000 13 " " 10,000 19 " " 10 per cent damages . . . . . 40,000 ___________ f'cs 440,000 — 487½ . . . . 90,256 41 ___________ $197,501 35 ===========
From this debt, certain amounts collected being deducted, a balance of $180,624.58 was left, making, with $14,691.05 due on gold account, a total indebtedness from the bank to SchuchardtPage 367Sons of $195,315.63, for which a certificate was issued by the receiver April 8, 1879.
Oct'r 1. To balance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4121 92 4. " days interest on $4121.92, @ 7 per cent. . . . . . . . . . . 3 20 7. " unpaid rem. on Nat'l. Park Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 86 9. " protest charges on rem. on Phila., $156.75 . . . . . . . . . 2 06 14. " " " " " $100. . . . . . . . . . . 2 06 24. " " " " $230.47 $130. . . . . . . . . . . 4 12 28. " protested drafts on G. Honorat Co. at Marseilles . . . . . . f'cs 150,000 10 per cent damages . . . . 15,000 ___________ f'cs 165,000 — 487½ 33,846 15
Nov'r 17. " unpaid acceptances of S. Frank Co . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500 00 " protest charges on same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 31
Dec'r 29. " protested drafts on Seignouret Frères Co., Bordeaux, p'ble per Paris f'cs 250,000 10 per cent damages . . . . . 25,000 ___________ f'cs 275,000 — 487½ 56,410 26
1874. Jan'y 12. " protested drafts on A. Dutfoy Co. at Paris . . . . . f'cs 200,000 29 Nov'r, 73. 155,000 10 Dec., " 35,000 13 " " 10,000 19 " " 10 per cent damages . . . . . 40,000 ___________ f'cs 440,000 — 487½ . . . . 90,256 41 ___________ $197,501 35 ===========
Schuchardt's cashier testified:
"The drafts on Dutfoy, Seignouret and Honorat were foreign exchange bills known as `clean' — that is, unaccompanied by documents — drawn by the New Orleans Banking Association on those parties. The one on the National Park Bank was drawn by the New Orleans National Banking Association to settle a collection made. The bills of exchange that figure up on the gold account were mainly cotton shippers' exchange, accompanied by bills of lading."
The debit balance of the bank on the gold account, October 1st, 1873, was $68,231.17, afterwards reduced to $14,691.05.
It appears from the evidence of Casey that Schuchardt Sons, or Fry their assignee, claimed about $38,000 in the Union Bank of London belonging to the New Orleans Bank, and other funds in the hands of Dutfoy Co. of Paris, amounting to forty thousand francs, and that at the time of the failure of the bank "certain assets belonging to the bank were in the hands of parties claiming to hold them as collateral security for the indorsement of certain bills of exchange which had been negotiated through Schuchardt Sons, said bills being drawn by the bank upon Seignouret Frères of Bordeaux, France. Suit was brought for the recovery of these assets, which resulted in my favor, as will appear by the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case ofCasey, Receiver, v.F. Schuchardt Sons, reported in 6 Otto, [96 U.S.] p. 494."
In that case, Mr. Justice Bradley, delivering the opinion of the court, said:
"Schuchardt Sons were bankers, in New York, through whom the New Orleans National Banking Association was in the habit of drawing on foreign houses, and who indorsed and disposed of the drafts, or transmitted them for collection, and made advances thereon. They were thus in the habit of indorsing and advancing on bills drawn by the bank on Seignouret Frères, of Bordeaux. In August and September they became uneasy, and required security; and it was agreedPage 368between them and the bank that they would receive and indorse drafts on Seignouret Frères, and accept the drafts of the bank on themselves to a certain limited amount, upon being secured by a pledge of commercial securities, to be deposited in the hands of Charles Cavaroc Son. In pursuance of this arrangement, on the 17th of September, the bank transmitted to Schuchardt Sons its drafts on Seignouret Frères to the amount of 250,000 francs, and, at the same time, drew on Schuchardt Sons against said drafts for the sum of $50,000. On the same day, or the day following, securities of the bank to the amount of $60,000 were selected by the note clerk, by direction of Charles Cavaroc, president of the bank, put into an envelope indorsed with the name of Schuchardt Sons, and handed to Cavaroc, who handed them to the cashier; and thereafter they were treated in precisely the same manner as the securities which were selected for the Crédit Mobilier and the Park Bank, as shown in the cases which have just been decided."
October 9, 1873, Cavaroc Son telegraphed Schuchardt Sons:
"NEW ORLEANS,Oct. 9, 1873.
"F. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Please deliver to L. Monrose two hundred and thirty bonds, one thousand dollars each, city of New Orleans seven per cent, held in trust for us.
"C. CAVAROC SON."
Monrose replied:
"NEW YORK,Oct. 9, 1873.
"C. CAVAROC SON, New Orleans:
"Schuchardt refuses delivering; says you pledged as security for bank.
"L. MONROSE."
And Schuchardt Sons telegraphed:
"NEW YORK,Oct. 9th, 1873.
"C. CAVAROC SON, New Orleans:
"According to your written authority we hold New Orleans city bonds as collateral security against Bank of New Orleans.Page 369We insist on your delivering to Reynes the bills receivable held by you in trust. Answer; also reply about bill lading per Queenstown.
"F. SCHUCHARDT SONS."
October 11, Cavaroc Son wrote Schuchardt Sons:
"NEW ORLEANS,Oct. 11, 1873.
"Mess. F. SCHUCHARDT SONS, New York:
"Gentlemen: `According to your written authority we hold New Orleans city bonds as collateral security against Bank of New Orleans.'
"By this phrase you seem to imply that our 232 bonds ought to serve as a guarantee to you for the reimbursement of all kinds of debts and of all sums due by the bank.
"In response we refer you to the letter of our senior partner, C. Cavaroc, February 15th last, which you yourselves invoke as the authority on which you base your rights (`according to your written authority').
"Our authority is contained in the following terms: `In your letter of the 11th inst. you say: "The credit of $100,000àdécouvertwas predicated upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled." You know that exchange at New Orleans is purchased by making advances until such time as the drafts are delivered, and it was with a view of making our mutual transactions more active that we asked this creditàdécouvertat the time. In view of your remark, I have nothing to say except to authorize you to consider a portion of the bonds belonging to my firm, which you have in your possession, as collateral security in case you should not be covered.'
"You see that according to the authority which you invoke you have no right to cover yourself by means of these bonds, except those uncovered sums for which you might not have received the paper against which they were drawn at the moment of the demand for the restitution of the bonds.
"According to the books of the bank, which correspondPage 370within a few cents with the account current rendered by you under date of Oct. 1st, it appears that all the drafts which the bank has made on you up to this day have been properly covered, and that is all we guaranteed by the deposit of our bonds.
"These bonds are, then, at this moment released, and we renew the order that you deliver them to L. Monrose, who is requested to receive them.
"Yours, etc., C. CAVAROC SON."
The following definitions of "à découvert," with translations, were furnished by counsel for Dumont Co.:
"Crédit à découvert: Avances faites par acceptations ou pardébours de caisse, sans être garanties par connaissements desmarchandises consignées ou des contre-valeurs.
"Larousse, Grand Dictionnaire Universel.
"Translation. Advances made by acceptances or cash disbursements, which (advances) are not covered by bills of lading, consigned goods or other securities."
So Littré, Dictionnaire de la langue française:
"À découvert. Terme de commerce:Être à découvert, êtreen avance, n'avoir aucune garántie des avances faites. (À découvert, commercial expression. To be `à découvert' is to be in advance, to have no guaranty of the advances made.)"
So in the Dictionnaire de l'Académie:
"À découvert. Être à découvert, signifie en terme de commerce, n'avoir aucun gage, `aucune garantie par sa créance.' (To beà découvertsignifies to have no pledge, no security, for one's claim.)"
So, too, Bescherelle, Dictionnaire National:
"Commerce.Être à découvert: N'avoir aucun gage de sacréance. (Commerce; to be `à découvert:' to have no security or pledge for one's claim.)"
Mr. Wells gives this as from the French Dictionary of A. Spiers, 19th ed., Bamard Bandry Co. 12 Rue Bonaparte, Paris, 1866:
"Découvert, n.m. 1 (com.) (of accounts), uncovered balance." Cavaroc, Senior, testifies:
"There is a usage and meaning. The words `à découvert'Page 371we use more frequently in French than `credit.' If I write in French to ask an open credit to a banker I will merely ask him: `Let me draw on youà découvertfor one or two hundred thousand dollars.' If I say to the banker, `I will cover you with exchange to that amount,' as soon as I cover to that amount it is finished. I don't owe a cent to that amount,à découvertis closed, and I have a right to go on again. It is a revolving credit. For instance, with Schuchardt, suppose I draw to-day $100,000 on Schuchardt and it wasà découvert, and the next morning or day after I sent to Schuchardt $100,000 of exchange bought from different houses here, myà découvertis finished — it is closed. As soon as I have remitted exchange for the $100,000 draft of the day preceding theà découvertis closed. Schuchardt is covered then. On the same day or next morning I have a right to draw $100,000 and cover again. As soon as I have remitted $100,000 exchange I have a right to draw again. Therefore, when the bank remitted exchange to cover what the bank had drawn under that credit,à découvert, the guarantee made by me, C. Cavaroc, ceased, and the right to hold these bonds ceased under that guarantee. . . . I desire to say, in explanation of the `à découvert' spoken of in my testimony, that it had no relation to guarantee and to payment of the exchange remitted by the bank, nor of the solvency of the drawers or indorsers or acceptors, but merely embraced remittance of exchange by the bank. This is the signification of the words `à découvert' here and in France, and in the letters sent and received by me, extracts of which are annexed, the words are so understood."
The balance of account claimed by Schuchardt Sons as due from Cavaroc Son, January 12th, 1874, was $7454.22, to which certain costs, disbursements and counsel fees, and a payment in settlement of a judgment on a $20,000 draft drawn on them by Cavaroc Son, were added, with interest, making the amount December 19, 1882, some $25,715.22. The amount proved up by Schuchardt Sons against the New Orleans Bank was $195,315.63, as has been stated. Upon this amount dividends had been paid before final decree to the amount of $117,189.38.Page 372
The Circuit Court held that the bonds were pledged to secure Schuchardt Sons for any overdrafts of the bank which might from time to time arise, to the extent of $100,000, and that Schuchardt Sons were entitled to hold the bonds subject to the pledge to the bank, as security for the indebtedness of Cavaroc Son, by virtue of a banker's lien, 13 F. 423; and, further, that Cavaroc Son had pledged the bonds to secure the whole indebtedness of the bank to Schuchardt Sons, with a limitation on the extent of the liability, and had not pledged them to secure a limited part of the indebtedness, and that therefore the dividends were not to be applied ratably, but the bonds could only receive the benefit of any receipts from dividends after the indebtedness had been paid down to $100,000, 14 F. 293.
The original bill was ordered dismissed by the courtsuasponteon the ground of want of jurisdiction in equity,Dumontv.Fry, 12 F. 21, but retained upon amendment. No objection on this ground appears to have been raised by defendants until upon hearing here. As to allowance of interest, see 18 F. 578.
I. The defendant and appellee Fry, as trustee in bankruptcy for Schuchardt Sons, had a lien upon the bonds inPage 373question for the payment of the sum of $25,715.22, being the balance due that firm on the account between it and C. Cavaroc Son, as adjudged by the decree of the court below.
This lien is what is ordinarily known as a banker's lien. By long established law a banker has a lien upon all funds and securities in his possession for the payment of a balance due to him on his general account with a customer, unless it appear that the funds or securities are held by him for a purposeinconsistent with such lien. Davisv.Bowsher, 5 T.R. 488;Bollandv.Bygrave, Ry. Mood. 273;Brandav.Barnett, 12 Cl. Fin. 787;Jonesv.Peppercorne, 1 Johns. V.C. 430;In re European Bank, L.R. 8 Ch. 41;In re Gen. Prov. Ass.Co., L.R. 14 Eq. 507.
All liens, except statutory liens, are created by contract; but the contract may be, and perhaps in most cases is, animpliedone. The lien referred to is implied from the nature of the transactions between a banker and his customer, the usual relations between those parties, and the circumstance that such lien is, whenever occasion arises, asserted and enjoyed by the banker without objection from the customer.
Abankeris one who deals inmoney, and carries on his business at some financial centre. Merchants require the aid of a person who will keep their money in safety while it is awaiting employment, and perhaps pay an interest on it; or lend money to them when needed, or procure loans from others. The banker serves all these purposes. He is the treasurer and the financial agent of his customer.
While the banker may have several accounts with his customer, thegeneralordrawingaccount relates solely todeposits ofmoneyon one side, anddrafts of moneyon the other, or their equivalents. Whenever in the course of the transactions, of whatever character, a debt becomes duetothe customer, the amount is passed to his credit in this general account; and whenever, on the other hand, a debt becomes duefromhim it is passed to his debit in the same account. Thebalanceof that account represents apresent debtdue and owing to the customer or the banker, as the case may be. The conditions of the business, the frequent occasions whichPage 374the customer has to suddenly call for money, the possibility that discounted bills or notes will be returned unpaid, the necessity of maintaining confidence and credit with the banker so that he may not hesitate in furnishing discounts or paying an occasional over-draft, all lead to the common practice on the part of customers of keeping securities of various kinds with their bankers, which may serve any purpose which the exigencies of business may require. Collateral which has been furnished for loans or discounts is allowed to remain after the loans have been paid; uncollected paper, bonds, stocks and other securities, and sometimes other valuables are left in the possession of the banker.
Inasmuch as in the vast majority of cases such securities and property of the customer found in the possession of the banker have been delivered to or left with him for no other purpose than to secure him generally against loss — the law justly assumesinall casesthat this is the purpose for which they have been so delivered or left. At the same time it recognizes the fact that the purpose may have been different; and hence the rule defines the banker's lien as a lien on all securities in his possession for the payment of thebalanceof his account,unlessit appear that the securities were deposited or left for a purposeinconsistent with such lien. It should be clearly understood that this lien is not one fordebts and liabilities generally, but only for thebalanceof the general or drawing account.
These considerations leave no doubt respecting the existence of this lien upon the securities in the hands of the appellee Fry. The relations between his assignors, Schuchardt Sons, and Cavaroc Son, were a typical instance of those usually existing between banker and customer. It was open to the complainants, and to the assignees of Cavaroc Son, to prove that the bonds were held by Schuchardt Sons for a purpose or under a contractinconsistentwith the alleged lien. An attempt in this direction was made, but it was quite unsuccessful.
It would be to no purpose for the appellants to urge that a demand was made upon Schuchardt Sons at the time of thePage 375bankruptcy and thatat that timethere was no adverse balance against Cavaroc Son, and that Schuchardt Sons could not retain the bonds as security for a debt not then matured. This suggestion overlooks the material circumstance of the intervening bankruptcy. In the view of a court of equity the occurrence of insolvency which made it impossible that the credit side of the account with Cavaroc Son should be improved, is a sufficient reason for imposing a stoppage at that point and declaring that therealbalance is that which it must inevitably turn out to be.
Different views have been expressed by courts as to whether a party owing a debt presently due to an insolvent couldset offagainst it, even in equity, a debt not yet due from the insolvent to him. But surely there would seem to be no just ground for doubt that in such cases the party to whom the debt is not due so that it can be set off is entitled to hold as a security where his debtor is insolvent what he might hold as security if the debt were due. 1 Jones on Liens, § 246;Fordv.Thornton, 3 Leigh, 695;Fourth Nat. Bankv.City Nat. Bank,68 Ill. 398;Rothschildv.Mack, 42 Hun, 72; 2 Story Eq. Jur., §§ 1431-1444.
II. But Schuchardt Sons had a direct lien upon the bonds in question to secure the new liabilities incurred by them for Cavaroc Son, and which, not matured at the time of the bankruptcy of the latter, created subsequently, when mature, the adverse balance of account. Schuchardt and Sons had incurred these heavy liabilities with no security whatever, unless these bonds were such, beyond the personal credit of Cavaroc Son. The question therefore is, was it or not the understanding between Caravoc Son and Schuchardt Sons that for any advances of money which the latter might make to the former, and liabilities incurred in the negotiation of drafts not drawn against merchandise, the bonds in question were to stand as security. Taking into consideration the facts already noticed, this question answers itself. Such must have been the understanding.
There are two general forms of financial transactions which are common between a banker and his customers, both ofPage 376which are illustrated by the dealings between Schuchardt Sons and Cavaroc Son, and also between the former and the National Banking Association. The one consists in the receipt of financial paper, notes, bills, c., for collection, discount or negotiation, and results in a legitimate credit to the customer of the amountadvanced in anticipationof the collections, or of the amount of theproceedsof an actual discount or sale. For this form of business no other security is required than the paper received.
The other form consists of draftsunaccompanied by any suchsecurities, and without any balance in favor of the customer arising out of prior transactions. Drafts of this latter character are of course not legitimate, unless in consequence of some agreement giving permission so to draw, and such agreement is not given without security that the sums paid out upon such drafts will be repaid. If securities are lodged with the banker to secure him for such advances the lien acquired is something more than the ordinary banker's lien for his balance.
We shall presently see, in the discussion of the lien for the debt due from the National Banking Association, that theseextraordinarydrafts unaccompanied with financial paper qualifying them, and without a balance to draw against, are discredited as drawings "à découvert," the substance of the meaning of which phrase is a drawing of money when there is no balance to draw against. Such a drawing to the extent of $100,000 by the National Banking Association was authorized upon the special agreement that the bonds should stand as collateral security. There are quite sufficient grounds for the implication that there was a like agreement, although the amount for which the drawing should be permitted is not indicated, in relation to drafts of this character by Cavaroc Son.
If, therefore, the ultimate debt to Schuchardt Sons was created by drafts drawn upon thelatterof theà découvertcharacter above described, the bonds would stand as security for it until it was finallypaid. The subsequent transmission of foreign bills subsequently dishonored would not pay it and release the security; even if Schuchardt Sons had negotiated the bills, they would be obliged, having indorsed them, to takePage 377them up. But if the debt was created by naked drafts drawn uponother partiesby Cavaroc Son, and cashed by way of discount or otherwise by Schuchardt Sons, the substance of the transaction would still be the making of a loan to Cavaroc Son upon the security of the bonds.
III. The questions most seriously contested in the court below were those relating to the further lien asserted by the defendant Fry, as assignee, upon the same bonds for the debt due to Schuchardt Sons from the New Orleans National Banking Association and the extent or magnitude of it. The facts proved clearly establish theexistenceof the lien.
That it was the intention and agreement of Cavaroc Son to pledge the bonds to securesomeobligation of the Banking Association to Schuchardt Sons is not questioned. The written documents are conclusive upon that point.
To arrive at a just understanding of the real contract of hypothecation, the correspondence which created it should be read in the light of the business and circumstances out of which it arose. It will then clearly appear that the pledge was made to secure to Schuchardt Sons the payment of anybalance ofaccountwhich might arise against the Banking Association in consequence of the payment of drafts drawn by it upon the former when it had no right to draw.
The precise terms of the pledge are stated in the letter of Cavaroc, Sen., of February 15th, 1873, and by this the bonds are to be held as collateral security "en cas de découvert," and the object declared by the correspondence, to gain which the pledge was made, was to obtain for the Banking Association the privilege of drawing "à découvert," The literal meaning of these expressions shows that the real intent of the pledge was to secure the payment by the Banking Association of any adverse balance of accounts created by its overdrafts; that is, by drawing when it had no balance to draw against. The phrase "àdécouvert" is, according to the best authorities, a commercial one used in relation toaccounts, and means anoverdrawnaccount.To draw, therefore, "à découvert," which was the privilege sought and gained by the pledge, is to draw when there is no balance to draw against. The substantivePage 378"découvert" means anuncovered balance of account, which is, of course, an adverse balance of account. There seems to be no support for the effort of the appellants to limit a drawing "àdécouvert" to the case of a draft unaccompanied by a merchandise bill. If the Banking Association should draw such a draft, and yet had at the time a balance in its favor equal to the amount of the draft the drawing would surely not be "àdécouvert;" but a draft drawn without an existing balance, and which would therefore be "à découvert" considered by itself, would, if accompanied by a merchandise bill, cease to be "àdécouvert." But this would be for the reason that the bill would instantly create a balance in favor of the Banking Association on the general account.
The conclusion is that the pledge was designed to secure the payment of anybalance of accountcreated by drafts drawn by the Banking Association when it had no balance to draw against; in other words,overdrafts. This produced the "cas dedécouvert" against which the pledge was in terms made by Cavaroc's letter of February 15th, 1873.
IV. The total debt due from the National Banking Association to Schuchardt and Gebhardt, as proved in bankruptcy, amounted to $195,315.63, and upon this the appellant Fry, as assignee of that firm, received dividends amounting to 55 per cent from the bankrupt estate. It was insisted upon by the appellants that these dividends should have been apportioned, and a ratable part applied to diminish the debt secured by the pledge. The decree of the court below overruling this claim, and declaring the bonds subject to a lien for the payment of the residue of the debt remaining unpaid after the application of the entire amount of the dividends, was correct.
Subrogation, for that is the substance of the demand which is made by the appellants, is an equity to which the surety is entitled when he paysthe debt for which he became surety. And, necessarily, in all cases where the right of subrogation would arise if the surety had first paid the debt, and the creditor had afterwards received moneys on account of it from the debtor, the moneys, if received by the creditor before payment by the surety, would go in exoneration of the latter.Page 379
Thetrue descriptionof the debt for which the bonds were pledged isthat part of the indebtedness of the BankingAssociation created by its overdrafts which it might not pay. In other words, as the learned judge in the court below described it,the unpaid balance. In case the bonds should pay thewholeof this unpaid balance, then, indeed, and not until then, would Cavaroc Son be entitled to be subrogated to Schuchardt Sons, and to receive any further dividends which might come from the bankrupt estate. Such an engagement, by its very nature, supposes the right of the creditor to receive voluntary payments from the debtor without any exoneration of the surety, and enforced payments as well, for the guaranty applies only to the balanceaftersuch payments have credited.
There are various modes in which a surety may limit the extent of his liability. Sometimes what the person asked to give credit may desire issecurity against ultimate loss;and the surety may be willing to give him such security. If the dealings are likely to involve a large andindefiniteliability, prudence dictates to the surety precaution, and he exercises this by limiting his liability, leaving the creditor to allow whatever indebtedness to arise he pleases. Both know that the surety can be called upon only for the specified amount, and both also know that the surety can claim nothing from the debtor's estate until the creditor is fully paid.
This latter form of engagement was evidently what the parties intended. The Banking Association wanted to drawà découvert, that is, tooverdraw. Schuchardt Sons proposed to give it therightto do so, provided security was given to them against ultimate loss. Cavaroc Son were willing to secure them against such loss, but not to subject themselves to hazard beyond the sum of $100,000.
The authorities upon the question now under discussion are principally English. They proceed, it is believed, upon a full recognition of the above views. The following are the principal:Ex parte Rushforth, 10 Ves. 409;Wrightv.Morley, 11 Ves. 12;Ellisv.Emanuel, L.R. 1 Ex. 157;Ex parte Hope, 3 M. DeG. G. 720;Midland Banking Co. v.Chambers, 38 L.J. Ch. 478.Page 380Mr. Frederic R. Coudert(with whom wasMr. Edgar A.Hutchinson the brief) for Dumont. On the question of the meaning of the termà découvert, Mr. Coudert said:
Schuchardt Sons, by their calling, were presumably judges of the paper in which they were dealing, and considered themselves, as their intention and state of mind is shown by the papers, covered when they received the remittances of drafts. Until drafts were remitted they wereà découvert;that is, uncovered; the moment the drafts were received they ceased to beà découvert, and were covered.
Even if solvent firms afterward became insolvent, this could not change the character of the paper at the time, so far as the judgment of the parties was concerned. Schuchardt was as fully covered when he received the business paper which he had agreed to receive as though he had received any other form of merchandise or security.Mr. Coudertthen cited "from the most approved lexicographers of France" the several definitions of "àdécouvert," which are found in the statement,ante, 370, and said:
In the light of these concurring definitions, especially of the first cited (Larousse, Grand Dictionnaire Universel), is it not plain that Schuchardt Sons wereà decouvertonly so long as they failed to receive the drafts upon the faith or the promise of which they made the advances? Surely they were secured for these advances, which were in fact not cash but simply acceptances, the moment the bills were sent them, which they had agreed to receive, to discount and to collect.Mr. Coudertalso citedGrantv.Taylor, 35 Superior Court (N.Y.) 338;S.C.52 N.Y. 627;Petriev.Myers, 54 How. Pr. (N.Y.) 513;Duncanv.Brennan,83 N.Y. 487;Wyckoffv.Anthony, 9 Daly, 417;Biebingerv.ContinentalBank,99 U.S. 143;In re Breslin, 45 Hun, 210.Mr. John M. Bowers, for Fry, cited:Bank of Metropolisv.N.E. Bank, 1 How. 234;Falklandv.St. Nicholas B'k,84 N.Y. 145;Brycev.Brooks, 26 Wend. 367;Knappv.Alvord, 10 Paige, 205;S.C. 40 Am. Dec. 241;Myerv.Jacobs, 1 Daly (N.Y.) 32;Naglev.McFeeters,97 N.Y. 196;Bellv.Page 381Bruen, 1 How. 169;Frenchv.Carhart,1 N.Y. 96;Waldronv.Willard,17 N.Y. 466;White's Bankv.Myles,73 N.Y. 335;Colemanv.Beach,97 N.Y. 545;Barneyv.Worthington,37 N.Y. 112;Hamiltonv.Van Rensselaer,43 N.Y. 244,245;Douglassv.Reynolds, 7 Pet. 113;Lanussev.Barker, 3 Wheat. 101, 148 (note);Leev.Dick, 10 Pet. 482;Mauranv.Bullus, 116 Pet. 528;Noonanv.Bradley, 9 Wall. 394;Hooperv.Wells, Fargo Co.,27 Cal. 11;S.C. 85 Am. Dec. 211;St. Louis c. Railwayv.Smuck,49 Ind. 302;Menzellv.Railway Co., 1 Dillon, 531;Edsallv.Camdenc. Railroad Co.,50 N.Y. 661;First National Bankv.Wood,71 N.Y. 405;Ætna Life Insurance Co. v.Middleport,124 U.S. 534;Footv.Brown, 2 McLean, 369;Williamsv.Sherman, 7 Wend. 109;Renns. Glass Factoryv.Reid, 5 Cowen, 587;S.C. 3 Cowen, 393;Jarvisv.Rogers,13 Mass. 105;Jarvisv.Rogers,15 Mass. 389;Brainardv.Jones,18 N.Y. 35;Schroeppellv.Shaw,3 N.Y. 446;McKeckniev.Ward,58 N.Y. 541;Clarkv.Sickler,64 N.Y. 231;Farwellv.Importers c. National Bank,90 N.Y. 483, top page 490;Gordonv.Lewis, 2 Sumner, 143, 144;Gibsonv.Crehore, 5 Pick. 146;Jenkinsv.Eldredge, 3 Story, 325;Hoganv.Stone,1 Ala. 496;S.C. 35 Am. Dec. 39.
When Schuchardt Sons, on the 9th of October, 1873, refused to deliver the bonds on the order of Cavaroc Son, they placed their refusal upon the ground that "according to your written authority we hold New Orleans city bonds as collateral security against bank of New Orleans," and Wells, a member of the firm, testifies that the only written authority was the letter of Cavaroc of February 15, 1873. The letter thus appealed to as embodying the authority relied on must be examined in the light of the correspondence of which it forms so important a part. As early as December, 1871, Schuchardt Sons had by letter authorized the bank to draw upon them "in advance of remittances to the extent of $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,) with the understanding that such drafts are to represent exchange bought and paid for," and in February, 1873, when the bank asked "are we still authorized to drawà découvert, $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,) against purchases of exchange advised by wire," the answer was, "the credit of $100,000, (one hundred thousand dollars,)à découvertwas predicated upon the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, and on their withdrawal we, of course, supposed the agreement cancelled."
This assertion as to the deposit of bonds was denied by the cashier, and he then referred Schuchardt Sons to a letter from the president, and that letter is the one in question. After quoting from Schuchardt's letter of February 11, their statement that the one hundred thousand dollar credit was predicated on the deposit of New Orleans city bonds, Cavaroc thus proceeds: "You know that exchange at New Orleans is purchased by making advances until the drafts are delivered, and it was in order to accelerate our transactions that we requested that credit of you at that time. In view of your suggestion, there is nothing to be said, except to authorize you, in case you are uncovered, to treat as collateral security a portion of the bonds in your possession belonging to my firm."1AndPage 383to this Schuchardt Sons responded to the bank, that, "in accordance with the terms therein stated," (i.e., in Cavaroc's letter,) the bank might value on them "`à découvert,' for a sum not exceeding as maximum $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) against exchange purchases." Thus the written authority relied on was in no respect different from the understanding in the beginning, as shown by the letter of 1871, that the drafts to be drawn by the bank on the Schuchardts were "to represent exchange bought and paid for," and the bonds were to be held under the letters of February, 1873, as collateral to advances by the Schuchardts before remittances of the exchange. And as late as September 19th, 1873, Wells wrote that Schuchardt Sons still authorized the bank "to draw against purchases of exchange, and in advance of the remittances, to the extent of $100,000, on the conditions specified in the letter of Mr. Cavaroc of 15th February last."
"Exchange bought and paid for" meant bills drawn against shipments, and purchased by advances made to the shippers upon the strength of documents to be furnished by them with the bills, to repay the advances so made. It was to enable the bank to make such advances in New Orleans that Schuchardt Sons on their part advanced to the bank, and, to assist the bank, Cavaroc Son were willing to and did pledge the bonds as collateral, to a maximum of $100,000. The understanding was that the bonds should be held as collateral while Schuchardt Sons were uncovered, that is to say, not covered by the remittance of exchange purchased, the bonds thus being used to bridge the interval between making the advances and the receipt of the drafts with bills of lading attached by Schuchardt Sons.
The transactions between Schuchardt Sons and the bank were very large, reaching, it is true, only about $700,000, during the month of September, but amounting to millions during the year; in fact, Wells testifies that sometimes the bank sent "over a million in one day."Page 384
The parties were dealing in exchange to their mutual profit, and all that Schuchardt Sons stipulated for, and all that Cavaroc Son agreed to, was that the bonds should be held as security while the merchandise was being purchased and shipped, and drafts against the shipments transmitted to Schuchardt Sons in liquidation of their advances.
We do not understand that Schuchardt Sons were doing business absolutely without risk, nor that Cavaroc Son, in view of the course of business, were regarded as called upon to guarantee Schuchardt Sons at all events. The latter had the drawers, the drawees, the indorsers and the merchandise itself to rely on, and there is nothing in the letters or the testimony to indicate that, in addition to all this, they demanded, as to such drafts, other security. If a draft had gone forward with bill of lading attached, and the drawees refused to receive the consignment and accept the draft, and were otherwise under no obligation to do so, and the proceeds of the shipment sold for less than the amount of the draft, or if the acceptors became insolvent and loss was thereby occasioned, Schuchardt Sons, though they might, if such was the course of business, charge back the difference to the bank, could not, upon this evidence, claim that these bonds were security to make good a deficiency so created, and, even if they could, no such deficiency is shown to have occurred.
Upon what basis then can it be held that drafts drawn by the bank directly on Seignouret Frères Co., Bordeaux, Honorat Co., Marseilles, and Dutfoy Co., Paris, "unaccompanied by documents," were secured by the bonds of Cavaroc Son and Dumont Co. by "written authority."
The drafts on Seignouret Frères Co. appear to have been drawn September 17th, 1873, for, with damages, $56,410.26, but the dates of the other drafts are not given, and the account between the bank and Schuchardt Sons, prior to the first of October, 1873, is not before us. The drafts on Dutfoy Co., amounting, with damages, to $90,256.41, were protested November 29th, December 10th, 13th and 19th. The drafts on Honorat Co. were protested October 28. No evidence is adduced on behalf of Schuchardt Sons' trustee in bankruptcyPage 385as to the length of time on which these drafts were drawn. We believe we are justified, then, in assuming that it was after the interview between Cavaroc, Jr., and Wells, placed by the latter as transpiring the last of August or first of September, when it was agreed that the amounts of business paper, that is, according to Wells, "bills of exchange drawn against shipments," which they would take, Schuchardt Sons might limit, and the limitation was directly imposed of "not more than £ 10 | M per week on Hambro," and "not more than fr. 200 | M on first bankers of Paris;" and, further, that when the bank sent "the drafts of the bank on third parties (Havre, Bordeaux, Marseilles, etc., etc.) it must put in the hands of Messrs. C.C. Son, in trust, a deposit of securities, there to remain until the acceptance or the payment, if we deem proper to await the payment." This was an arrangement made by Schuchardt Sons and evidenced by a memorandum prepared, not by Cavaroc, but by Wells. It was not Cavaroc Son, acting with reference to the bonds, who sought this agreement, but Schuchardt Sons, acting for their own protection in reference to transactions other than those with which the bonds were connected. The drafts of the bank on third parties were not exchange bought and paid for, nor were drafts drawn by the bank on Schuchardt Sons against these bills drawn by it directly on Europe, advances made by Schuchardt Sons against "purchases of exchange advised by telegraph." Schuchardt Sons could have had no expectation of receiving another set of bills drawn against shipments to repay advances made to the bank on these "clean" bills already in their hands. They must have relied, as to these bills, upon the credit of the bank, the indorsers and the drawees, and other securities deposited in the hands of Cavaroc Son; and when Schuchardt, who appears to have been out of town, returned, and it was concluded to limit their operations, Wells writes to Cavaroc that they had "determined to request the bank to limit its exchange business with us to the forwarding of such drafts made by third parties as it shall deem proper to purchase." There is no intimation up to the 19th of September that Schuchardt Sons regarded thePage 386bonds as pledged for anything except the remittance of exchange created by drafts against shipments. The transactions in purchasing such exchange, and transactions in the way of accommodation to the bank, or of the purchase of its own drafts on Europe, were kept perfectly distinct, so far as appears. Cavaroc, Jr., testifies that in his interview with Wells, late in August or the first of September, when it was agreed that if the bank sent its own drafts there must be a deposit of securities to insure their acceptance or payment, no agreement was made, verbal or otherwise, in reference to these bonds, and nothing said about them, other than perhaps a casual remark. Wells does not deny this, although he says he feels "quite confident they were alluded to." But for a resolution purporting to have been passed by the directors of the bank on the 20th of September, there would be absolutely no evidence in this record that the bonds were to be or had ever been held as security for drafts by the bank directly. These bonds did not belong to the bank. They were largely owned by Dumont Co. They had never been used except upon a direct order from Cavaroc Son. A distinct agreement with the latter that they should be held for the debts of the bank must be shown in order to the maintenance of a lien upon them. The resolution does say that the bank, in order to secure its president against "any eventual loss" of the bonds "belonging to the firm of C. Cavaroc Son, and actually pledged to F. Schuchardt Sons, agents of the bank at New York, as collateral security for the payment of all foreign exchange bills sent them for negotiation, and by them indorsed," thereby authorizes him "to select as guarantee from the portfolio of the bank such papers as he may think proper, to the extent of (100,000) one hundred thousand dollars," and that statement may be inconsistent with the theory that all the bonds were pledged for was simply until remittances of exchange actually bought and paid for were made; but when we consider the circumstances under which Cavaroc was situated, that resolution, under which securities to the amount of $100,000 were to be put into his hands, which might be held to secure drafts drawn by the bank itself, in accordance withPage 387the agreement with Schuchardt Sons of the last of August or first of September, does not appear to us to overcome the written and other evidence as to the actual transaction.
There is no element of estoppel about it, and it is a mere question whether a resolution of that kind, passed when both Cavaroc Son and the bank were on the brink of bankruptcy, should be taken as evidence of such cogency as to overthrow all the correspondence and testimony to the contrary. It may go to the credibility of Cavaroc, it is true. He may have told one story on the stand under oath, and may have told his directors another story in the bank, although it does not appear that he drew the resolution or was consulted as to the particular language in which it should be couched. The facts as we hold them to be were, that the bonds had been pledged, to the extent of $100,000, as collateral to the remittance of exchange, and that it had been agreed with Schuchardt Sons, by Cavaroc, on behalf of the bank, that, in relation to drafts drawn by the bank directly, other securities should be put in the hands of Cavaroc Son to secure such last-named drafts. Cavaroc therefore needed to have a resolution of the bank that he might take from its portfolio those additional securities, and the fact that the language of the resolution is broader than the terms of the pledge, or that it was inartificially drawn, or that it misrepresented the ownership of the bonds, does not entitle it to the weight attributed to it on the argument. As against third parties, the terms of a resolution of the directors of a national banking association, when the exigencies of a financial crisis are upon them, in the attempt to prefer one of the bank's officers, cannot properly be regarded as decisive upon the question of the facts actually existing in respect to such third parties in a given case, and Dumont Co. and the general creditors of Cavaroc Son ought not to be foreclosed by Cavaroc's presence when this resolution was passed. Besides, it is not inconsistent with the terms of the resolution, to confine the reference to foreign bills to all exchange actually purchased, in which view the resolution would simply assert that the pledge was designed to secure, not only the remittance, but the ultimate payment of such exchange,Page 388but could not be stretched to cover "clean" bills drawn by the bank itself.
The learned judge of the Circuit Court says: "In short, it is evident from the relations of the parties, their course of business, the correspondence between them, and the construction placed upon the transactions by Cavaroc himself, that the bonds were pledged to secure Schuchardt Sons for any overdrafts of the banking association, to the extent of $100,000, which might from time to time arise. Such overdrafts were the creditàdécouvertcontemplated by the parties, and constitute the unpaid balance of account due from the banking association to Schuchardt Sons."
The relations of the parties were that both were dealers in exchange and making money out of it. The course of business was, advances by the bank to shippers, advances by Schuchardt Sons to the bank to enable it to make those advances to the shippers, the use of the money by the shippers in the purchase of merchandise, and the remittance of drafts drawn against shipments to Schuchardt Sons, in return for their advances. The correspondence between the parties from the first limited the transactions with which the bonds were concerned to exchange actually bought and paid for. This was the construction placed upon those transactions by both of the parties, unless this resolution of the directors of the bank is to be held as conclusive to the contrary. The indebtedness of the bank was not the result of losses upon any drafts purchased in the regular course of business, but was the result of charging back unpaid drafts, which had been drawn by the bank directly upon parties in Europe, without any accompanying bills of lading. These drafts were discounted by Schuchardt Sons, apparently in reliance not simply upon the credit of the bank and the credit of Cavaroc Son, if they indorsed such drafts, but upon the deposit of securities, as against them, in the hands of Cavaroc Son at New Orleans; and the evidence of Casey shows that Cavaroc did undertake to get and hold securities for Schuchardt Sons, as against drafts so situated. And this explains the telegram of Schuchardt Sons to Cavaroc Son of October 9: "We insist on your delivering to Reynes the bills receivable held by you in trust."Page 389
This drawing by the bank directly on Europe was either a recent course of proceeding or it was not. If not, it is clear that the bonds had no relation to such prior action. If of recent occurrence, it is equally clear that it was independent of the regular dealings in exchange, in respect to which the bonds were held as security to the extent and under the circumstances defined in the correspondence.
As the bonds in large part did not belong to Cavaroc Son, it is due to the latter to suppose that they had no intention of subjecting them to the risks now insisted upon; and the intimacy between Cavaroc Son and Schuchardt Sons, and the fact that the bonds were paid for by drafts on Dumont Co., whose acceptances for a considerable part of the cost were held by Schuchardt Sons, render the inference a not unreasonable one, that Schuchardt Sons knew that Cavaroc Son had peculiar reasons for not treating the bonds with the same freedom as other securities; and this is confirmed by their levy of an attachment against Dumont Co. upon the bonds, as belonging in whole or in part to the latter.
We do not concur, therefore, in the view that Schuchardt Sons had, by special agreement, a lien upon these bonds to secure the drafts drawn on Seignouret Frères Co., Honorat Co., and Dutfoy Co.
The bonds were, however, pledged to secure the remittance by the bank of exchange actually bought and paid for. The letter of February 15th authorizes Schuchardt Sons to treat "a portion" of the bonds as such security, to a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars, but what portion is not defined, and it is evident that Schuchardt Sons considered all of them as so pledged. There is nothing unreasonable in this, for although the bonds had cost $189,360, yet in the fluctuations of the market all of them might not have represented a reliable guaranty for more than $100,000.
The answer of Fry sets up that they "were deposited with the said Frederick Schuchardt Sons, as security for any indebtedness or balances of account which at any time might or could arise in the course of their aforesaid dealings in theirPage 390aforesaid character with the said Charles Cavaroc Son and the said New Orleans Banking Association."
The decree adjudges that Schuchardt Sons had a lien upon the bonds for the balance of the account of Cavaroc Son with them, and "also" that they held them, to the extent of one hundred thousand dollars, "by virtue of a pledge or hypothecation" to secure the indebtedness of the bank.
The Circuit Court said, (13 F. 428:) "The bonds having been left by Cavaroc Son with Schuchardt Sons, without any special agreement, except the pledge of a portion of them for the New Orleans Banking Association, those not thus pledged are subject to the banker's lien of Schuchardt Sons." And again, (18 F. 578:) "The terms of the pledge were that the bonds then in the possession of the Schuchardts should be held by them as security for any advance or overdraft which might ultimately exist in the dealings of the parties, to the extent of $100,000."
But if the bonds were liable by express contract for the obligations of the bank, could they also be made to respond to the indebtedness of Cavaroc Son, in the absence of express agreement, by force of a lien implied from the usage of the business?
In our judgment, the bonds, being in effect all pledged to guarantee the remittance by the bank of exchange purchased, could not be held by implication as security for the indebtedness of Cavaroc Son on a balance of account. The specific pledge withdrew them from the operation of the alleged banker's lien, for it was inconsistent with the presumed intention of the parties. And, applying the principles upon which such a lien rests, it is doubtful whether it ever existed in favor of Schuchardt Sons. Undoubtedly while "a general lien for a balance of accounts is founded on custom, and is not favored, and it requires strong evidence of a settled and uniform usage, or of a particular mode of dealing between the parties, to establish it," and "general liens are looked at with jealousy, because they encroach upon the common law, and disturb the equal distribution of the debtor's estate among his creditors," (2 Kent Com. *636,) yet a general lien does arise in favorPage 391of a bank or banker out of contract expressed, or implied from the usage of the business, in the absence of anything to show a contrary intention. It does not arise upon securities accidentally in the possession of the bank, or not in its possession in the course of its business as such, nor where the securities are in its hands under circumstances, or where there is a particular mode of dealing, inconsistent with such general lien.Brandav.Barnett(Common Pleas), 1 Man. Gr. 908;S.C. (Exch. Chamb. In error), 6 Man. Gr. 630;S.C. (House of Lords), 3 C.B. 519, 532 and also 12 Cl. Fin. 787, 806;Bockv.Gorissen, 2 De G., F. J. 434, 443. In this latter case the foreign correspondents of a London firm directed the firm to purchase for them Mexican bonds to a specified amount at a specified price, and to hold the bonds at the disposal of the correspondents. The London firm made the purchase and wrote the correspondents that they would, until further order, retain the bonds for safe custody, and it was held that the letters constituted a special contract sufficient to exclude a general lien on the part of the London firm, if they would otherwise have been entitled to any.
It was held inIn re Medewe, 26 Beavan, 588, that where a customer's security was specifically stated to be "for the amount which shall or may be found due on the balance of his account" it could not be held for a subsequent floating balance, but only for the then existing balance; and inVanderzeev.Willis, 3 Bro. Ch. 21, that a security specifically given for a contemporaneous advance of £ 1000 by the banker was not applicable against an independent indebtedness of £ 500 afterwards arising upon an ordinary running account.
A bankers' lien, said Mr. Justice Matthews, speaking for the court inNational Bankv.Insurance Co.,104 U.S. 54,71, "ordinarily attaches in favor of the bank upon the securities and moneys of the customer deposited in the usual course of business, for advances which are supposed to be made upon their credit. It attaches to such securities and funds, not only against the depositor, but against the unknown equities of all others in interest, unless modified or waived by some agreement, express or implied, or by conduct inconsistent with its assertion."Page 392
InBank of the Metropolisv.New England Bank, 1 How. 234, 239, Mr. Chief Justice Taney, in delivering the opinion, referring to the general principle that a banker who has advanced money to another has a lien on all paper securities in his hands for the amount of his general balance, says: "We do not perceive any difference in principle between an advance of money and a balance suffered to remain upon the faith of these mutual dealings. In the one case as well as the other, credit is given upon the paper deposited or expected to be transmitted in the usual course of the transactions between the parties."
"Here, then," said Caton, J., inRussellv.Hadduck, 3 Gilman, 233, 238, "is the true principle upon which this, as well as all other bankers' liens, must be sustained, if at all. There must be a credit given upon the credit of the securities, either in possession or in expectancy."Fourth National Bankv.CityNational Bank,68 Ill. 398.
InDuncanv.Brennan,83 N.Y. 487,491, the language of the court is: "The general lien which bankers hold upon bills, notes, and other securities deposited with them for a balance due on general account, cannot, we think, exist where the pledge of property is for a specific sum and not a general pledge;" and inNeponset Bankv.Leland, 5 Met. 259: "The notes were deposited under special circumstances; they were not pledged generally, but specifically; and this negatives any inference of any general lien, if, in the absence of such special agreement, the law would imply one;" and inWyckoffv.Anthony,90 N.Y. 442, that "where securities are pledged to a banker or broker for the payment of a particular loan or debt, he has no lien on the securities for a general balance or for the payment of other claims." See alsoMasonic Savings Bankv.Bang'sAdministrator,84 Ky. 135;Bank of the United Statesv.Macalester, 9 Penn. St. 475;Hathawayv.Fall River Nat.Bank,131 Mass. 14. The facts inBiebingerv.ContinentalBank,99 U.S. 143, were that a customer of a bank had deposited with it, as collateral security for his current indebtedness on discounts, a note secured by mortgage, which he withdrew for foreclosure, at the sale under which hePage 393purchased the property, and left the deed he received with the bank at its request. His indebtedness to the bank was then fully paid, but after a temporary suspension of his dealings he again incurred debts to it. It was held that as it did not appear that money was loaned or debt created on the faith of possession of the deed, the bank could not claim against the debtor's assignee an equitable mortgage by the deposit of the conveyance. There are instances of an express pledge of securities for a specific loan, where the surplus realized from them has been directed to be applied to satisfy a general debt,In re General ProvidentAssurance Company, ex parte National Bank, L.R. 14 Eq. 507; but there is no pretence in the case at bar of any ground for the application of the principle of tacking.
Subjected to the test of these well-settled rules, the facts do not admit of serious doubt as to the correct result.
The bonds were not lodged in the hands of the Schuchardts in the ordinary course of banking business. They were sent to New York for a specific purpose, and, when that purpose was accomplished, permitted to remain for "safe-keeping," and because New York was a better market than New Orleans, and the express charges for their return very heavy, as is said on one side; and for convenience in procuring loans as is asserted on the other. But the loans made were always specific loans, and the bonds were always otherwise subject to Cavaroc Son's call; and when the Schuchardts themselves loaned, as they did once or twice, it was upon an express pledge of a designated number of the bonds as security. Cavaroc Son were bankers as well as Schuchardt Sons, and the latter appear to have reposed implicit confidence in them, yet there is no satisfactory evidence that they extended to Cavaroc Son any special indulgence in the way of general accommodation. Their cashier thinks he can specify a case in which the bills of exchange sent by Cavaroc to Schuchardt were not accompanied by bills of lading, but he does not do so, and the acceptances of Dumont Co. were on account of the purchase price of the bonds. If, as argued by counsel, there is a presumption, as between customer and banker, that the securitiesPage 394or property of the customer, found in the possession of the banker, have been left with him to secure him generally against loss, this is not an irrebuttable presumption, and each case stands upon its own circumstances.
And, since Schuchardt Sons did not claim at the time of the failure that they had a general lien, but simply that they held the bonds by "written authority," "as collateral security against the bank of New Orleans," we can arrive at no other conclusion than that Schuchardt Sons were not entitled to maintain a bankers' lien against the bonds, for the ultimate debit balance of Cavaroc Son.
We are asked to dispose of the case adversely to appellants upon the ground that they received the remaining bonds and money after the liens decreed in Fry's favor were satisfied; but such receipt does not oust the jurisdiction. The acceptance by appellants of what was confessedly theirs cannot be construed into an admission that the decree they seek to reverse was not erroneous, nor does it take from appellees anything, on the reversal of the decree, to which they would otherwise be entitled.Embryv.Palmer,107 U.S. 3,8. Nor can the objection be sustained that there was an absence of jurisdiction in equity because of the adequacy of the remedy at law. The Schuchardts had collected many thousands of dollars on coupons cut from the bonds after October 4, 1873, and before their own failure. Fry, their assignee, had made similar collections. Fry claimed to hold the moneys and the bonds to secure a balance of account due to the Schuchardts from the Cavarocs, and also as collateral to the indebtedness of the New Orleans Bank. Dumont Co. claimed a large part of the bonds as against the general creditors of the Cavarocs and as against Schuchardt Sons, and Cavaroc's general creditors claimed the residuum. As to the amount due to Fry, controversy over some thousands of pounds in the Union Bank of London was involved. An accounting was necessary between the parties, and a multiplicity of suits was inevitable, unless the determination of the conflicting rights set up could be arrived at in a proceeding in equity. And, in addition to these considerations, we think we ought not to regard withPage 395favor the raising of this objection, for the first time, at this stage of the cause.
The rule as stated in 1 Daniell's Chancery Practice, 555, 4th Am. ed., is, that if the objection of want of jurisdiction in equity is not taken in proper time, namely, before the defendant enters into his defence at large, the court, having the general jurisdiction, will exercise it; and in a note on page 550, many cases are cited to establish that "if a defendant in a suit in equity answers and submits to the jurisdiction of the court, it is too late for him to object that the plaintiff has a plain and adequate remedy at law. This objection should be taken at the earliest opportunity. The above rule must be taken with the qualification, that it is competent for the court to grant the relief sought, and that it has jurisdiction of the subject matter."
InWyliev.Coxe, 15 How. 415, 420, it is said: "The want of jurisdiction, if relied on by the defendants, should have been alleged by plea or answer. It is too late to raise such an objection on the hearing in the appellate court, unless the want of jurisdiction is apparent on the face of the bill."
It was held inLewisv.Cocks, 23 Wall. 466, that if the court, upon looking at the proofs, found none at all of the matters which would make a proper case for equity, it would be the duty of the court to recognize the fact and give it effect, though not raised by the pleadings nor suggested by counsel. To the same effect isOelrichsv.Spain, 15 Wall. 211. The doctrine of these and similar cases is, that the court, for its own protection, may prevent matters purely cognizable at law from being drawn into chancery, at the pleasure of the parties interested; but it by no means follows, where the subject matter belongs to the class over which a court of equity has jurisdiction, and the objection that the complainant has an adequate remedy at law is not made until the hearing in the appellate tribunal that the latter can exercise no discretion in the disposition of such objection. Under the circumstances of this case, it comes altogether too late even though, if takeninlimine, it might have been worthy of attention.The decrees are reversed at the cost of Fry, trustee, in thisand the Circuit Court, and the cause remanded for furtherproceedings in conformity with this opinion.Page 396
- Page 382 "Vous savez que le change à New Orleans est acheté en faisant des avances jusqu'à ce que les traites soient livrées et c'est afin d'activer nos rapports que nous vous avions demandé à l'époque, ce découvert. Page 383 "Devant votre observation, il n'y a rien à dire si ce n'est de vous autoriser à considérer comme sécurité collatérale une partie des `bonds' que vous avez à ma maison, en cas de découvert." ↩