Sylvester Cahill versus Mary Bigelow and Trustee, 18 Pick. 369

Shaw J. C. delivered the opinion of the Court. The only question is, whether the trustee is chargeable on his answer, as having goods, effects or credits of Mrs. Bigelow, the principal defendant, at the time of the service of the writ. On the facts disclosed in the answer, the attaching creditor contends, that the trustee is chargeable, on the ground, that he was indebted to the principal for the board of his workmen, and that his undertaking to pay those who supplied her, was void by the statute of frauds, because it was a promise to pay the debt of another, without any note or memorandum in writing.

On the contrary, the trustee insists, that he is entitled to be discharged, first, because his undertaking to pay those who furnished supplies to Mrs. Bigelow, was original and not collateral, and so not within the statute of frauds ; and secondly, because, if otherwise, the trustee is not bound to set up the statute of frauds to avoid his engagements, his contract was voidable and not void, and if he does not elect to avoid it, he is not bound to do so, to aid an attaching creditor. On the first point the Court are all of opinion, that the undertaking of Hatch, the trustee, to pay for supplies furnished to Mrs.

Bigelow, was collateral and conditional, to pay if she did not, to pay her debt, and so was within the statute of frauds. Had any one of these persons brought an action against Hatch, and he had chosen to rely on the statute of frauds, it would have been a good defence, there being no note ar memorandum in writing. We consider this point well settled by authorities. The test is this, when the promise is made before the credit is given, to decide whether one promising is an original debtor or a guarantor, namely, whether credit was given to the person receiving the goods.

If it was, then such promisor is a guarantor only, undertaking to pay another’s debt; if no credit was given to the person receiving the goods, then the promisor is himself debtor for goods sold to him and delivered to another person, by his order, his promise is not to pay the debt of another, and a paroi promise, being made upon a good consideration, is a good contract at common law and binds him, and is not within the statute of frauds. Matson v. Wharam, 2 T. R. 80; Jones v. Cooper, Cowp. 227; Anderson v. Hayman, 1 H. Bl. 120.

We are aware, that a contrary opinion appears to be expressed in one case in this Commonwealth. Perley v. Spring, 12 Mass. R. 297. It is believed, that the opinion there expressed by the Chief Justice, in delivering the opinion of the Court, was not necessary to the decision of that case. With great deference to the generally accurate opinions of that distinguished jurist, we think it probable, that this opinion was drawn up in haste and without reference to the authorities.

This appears obvious from the suggestion contained in it, that the uniform construction given by the English courts to that jranch of the statute, has been, to consider the provision as applicable only to the pre-existing debts of a third person. The case apparently overlooks the distinction between a good consideration for a promise, at common law, and the evidence required by statute to prove such promise, when it is to pay the debt of another. Rann v. Hughes, 7 T. R. 350, note. But we think that the case of Perley v.

Spring, was substantially overruled by a subsequent case, in which, apparently, the same eminent judge concurred. Tileston v. Nettleton, 6 Pick. 509. Iii the present case, it appears perfectly clear upon the trustee’s answer, that the supplies were in the first "nstance charged to Mrs. Bigelow, that she was debtor for them, and that the promise of Hatch was to see the creditors paid, in other words, to pay her debt.

Upon the other point, the Court are of opinion, that the guarantor by paroi was not bound, against his own choice, to set up the statute of frauds, to avoid his promise to pay for the supplies furnished to Mrs. Bigelow. The contract entered into by him with these persons, was a lawful one, made on sufficient consideration, and would be good at common law. But the statute, on considerations of policy, intervenes and declares, that such a contract shall not be enforced by action, unless the agreement or some memorandum thereof shall be in writing. St. 1788, c. 16, § 1.

But the statute is intended as a shield, and is to be used forth e protection of those, who would be in danger of suffering injury from false testimony by setting up pretended paroi promises of guaranty. The statute does not declare the contract void, but merely provides, that no action shall be brought whereby to charge, &c. unless the contract, or some memo randum thereof, be in writing. The effect of the statute is, that the promisor, who would otherwise be liable to such an action, may avoid it.

The guaranty having been given by the request of the debtor, and for her benefit, whatever should be paid upon it by the guarantor must be deemed to be paid at her request, and for her account, and would be chargeable to her, and must go to discharge the debt due from him to her.

The trustee in effect declares his election, not to avail himself of the statute of frauds to avoid his paroi undertaking to pay these debts, but to pay them according to the original understanding between him and the other parties ; and the Court are of opinion, that he has a right to do so and to charge the payments in his account with Mrs. Bigelow ; in which case there is nothing remaining in his hands due to her, liable to the attachment. See Alexander v. Vane, 1 Mees. & Welsby, 511. Trustee discharged.