Morgan's Assignees v. Shinn

APPEAL from the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia; the case being thus:

The assignees of Morgan, Rhinehart & Co. filed a bill in the court below against one Shinn, to enforce contribution to the repayment of advances made by their assignors for the repairs and expenses of a steamer called the Fairfax; the bill averring that Shinn was owner of one-fourth part of the vessel, and Shinn by his answer denying this averment of his ownership, and asserting a mere interest as mortgagee. The question of fact, and one preliminary to any other question, therefore, was, whether Shinn was in fact such a part owner? The evidence on the two sides of the case seemed thus:

1st. Evidence to support the allegation of ownership.

In September, 1855, Morgan, along with three other persons, named Comstock, Savage, and Kelly (Kelly being a resident of Philadelphia), became joint owners of the vessel by purchase from the government, and she was re-enrolled in their names as joint owners, on or about the 10th of October of that year, and made one of a line running between New York and Washington, called the 'Atlantic Steamship Company.' The shares of Morgan and of Comstock were held for the benefit of Morgan, Rhinehart & Co., a firm composed of Morgan, Comstock, and one Rhinehart. The firm was also the ship's husband, and as such they made advances for repairs and expenses.

On the 2d of October, 1865, Kelly made a bill of sale of one-fourth of the vessel to Shinn; and the bill, at the instance of Shinn, was forthwith recorded. On the 23d of October, the vessel was re-enrolled, Morgan now swearing that Shinn was owner of one-fourth of her. And on the 15th of February, 1866, Comstock having insured the vessel in his own name 'for the benefit of all concerned,' and the vessel having been destroyed by fire, Shinn, along with Morgan and Savage, signing themselves the three 'owners of one-fourth each of the steamer Fairfax,' ratified his act.

Of course, if unexplained, these facts would have been sufficient to prove the allegation of ownership. But there was—

2d. Evidence to disprove the allegation.

It was asserted in the answer that the bill of sale, though absolute in its terms, was in fact a mortgage given to secure Shinn for a sum of money agreed to be lent by him to Kelly. Such was the positive testimony of Shinn himself. The scrivener, also, who prepared the instrument, testified that on or about the day of date of the bill of sale, both parties to it called at his office; that they stated Kelly wished to purchase an interest in a steamer, and that Shinn was willing to advance the necessary money. Some conversation then occurred respecting the security which should be taken by Shinn, and it was suggested by one of the parties that a regular bill of sale should be given to him by Kelly. The bill was accordingly prepared, together with a power of attorney from Kelly to Shinn, empowering him to receive all money due or that might become due to Kelly in the District of Columbia, and to attend to all matters in which Kelly might have an interest or concern. The amount of the consideration was left blank in the bill, for it was not then known how much might be required to be advanced. Shinn took no note from Kelly for the money advanced; though when the amount needed was ascertained, having paid it to Morgan, who was acting in the matter for Kelly, Shinn took Morgan's receipt as for money paid to Kelly.

But, admitting that Shinn might in fact have been but a mortgagee, there remained another question of fact. Did Morgan, Rhinehart & Co., when they advanced money for the vessel, know that Kelly was really the owner, and that Shinn was not? And if they did not so know, then had Shinn in any manner held himself out as owner, or authorized the advances, or had they been made on his credit?

Bearing on these points Morgan, one of the firm, testified that when Shinn paid the money he said 'it was money advanced by him for Kelly to pay Kelly's share of the ship.' Certain letters of Morgan and of Comstock to Kelly were produced, written in November, 1865, and in the spring of 1866, in which they both wrote to Kelly as owners with them of the vessel. One from Comstock to Kelly, dated November 7th, 1865, says:

'The steamer Fairfax is doing wonders, taking everything into consideration. She is called the flag-ship of the line. We are now making preparations to organize the company, and we intend putting the Fairfax in at $50,000. Will this meet your approval?'

One by Morgan to him, March 24th, 1866, after the vessel had been burned, says:

'I must again appeal to you to remit me all the money you can command. I need it badly. We have had to pay all of the accounts against the Fairfax as well as the other boats, and have had but very small return.'

After the steamer was burned, Comstock said she was insured for $15,000, and that none of them, and especially Kelly, would lose anything by the disaster. He also asked Shinn to sign a paper for Kelly respecting the ship, and to act for him by virtue of his power of attorney; and what perhaps seemed even more important, Morgan afterwards made an affidavit stating in effect that Kelly was the owner of one-fourth of the vessel.

The court below dismissed the bill, and from this decree the appeal was taken.

Messrs. J. M. Carlisle and J. D. McPherson, for the appellant:

The court erred in dismissing the bill, whether the defendant, Shinn, was part owner or merely mortgagee.

I. The defendant was owner and not mortgagee.

1. He took an absolute bill of sale.

2. He caused it to be recorded.

3. He joined as part owner in ratifying the act of another part owner who had insured the vessel.

4. In the transaction between him and Kelly no note was given no agreement made for interest.

II. If the defendant was mortgagee—

1. He was a mortgagee in possession; for having derived his interest from a part owner, the possession of the other part owners was his possession.

2. As mortgagee in possession he was liable. 'The weight of our American decisions,' says Kent, 'has been in favor of the position that a mortgagee of a ship out of possession is not liable for repairs or necessaries procured on the order of the master, and not on the particular credit of the mortgagee who was not in the receipt of the freight; though the rule is otherwise when the mortgagee is in possession, and the vessel employed in his service.'

Mr. Justice STRONG delivered the opinion of the court.