Leonard Smith v. Amos B. Bishop, 9 Vt. 110

The opinion of the court, was delivered by Phelps, J. The question, arising upon the demurrer, }nvolves the sufficiency of the plaintiffs replication; and the case resolves itself into two inquiries, viz. whether a fraudulent concealment of the plaintiff’s cause of action will protect him against the operation of the statute of limitations, and, if so, whether such a fraud is here alleged as will satisfy the rule. It is a general rule, that the statute of limitations begins to run from the time when the cause of action accrues, or, in other words, from the time when the plaintiff’s right of action is perfected.

And it is well settled by numerous precedents, that mere ignorance, on the part of the plaintiff, of his cause of action, creates no exception to the rule. Indeed, if such an answer could be given to the plea of this statute, it is manifest that no distinction can be made, between cases of fraud and cases of any other description. On this point, however, there has never been but one opinion. No case can be found, in which the plaintiff’s ignorance of his cause of action has been held, of itself, a sufficient answer to the statute.

If, then, there be any thing in the answer here setup, it must derive its force from the ingredient of fraud. It is insisted, in general terms, that fraud will take a case out of the statute. Before the correctness of this doctrine can be tested, it becomes necessary to ascertain-with accuracy what is intended by it. The proposition admits of various

interpretations, and, with a view to its practical application, may be resolved into several subordinate questions. Is a case, originating in deceit, within the statute at all ? If so, is the application of the statute to the case to be qualified so far, as that it will take effect only from the time when the deceit, or its consequences, may be discovered ? - Is there any distinction, in this respect, between the original deceit, which constitutes the gist of the action, and a subsequent and distinct substantive fraud, having for its purpose the concealment of a cause of action, already perfect ?

These, and other questions of a similar character, may be put, tending to test both the general accuracy of the doctrine, and its application, if it be in any case sound, to particular cases. In the view, which we have taken of the subject, we confine ourselves to the question, as it arises in a court of law.

The subject presents itself in a very different light, in a court of chancery, exercising its peculiar jurisdiction ; for, although that court is, in general, bound by the statute of limitations, yet, in the exercise of its peculiar jurisdiction over frauds, and especially for purposes not cognizable at law, it will relieve from the operation of this statute, as it will against any other undue legal advantage.

And I may here add, that the precedents, cited from some of our sister States, lose much of their weight, when it is considered, that, having no chancery court, they have found it necessary to blend some of the distinctive doctrines of chancery with their common law code. In support of the general doctrine, that fraud will take a case out of the. statute, the case of Bree v. Holbech is cited. All, which can be derived from that case, is, that Lord Mansfield was not then prepared, upon the spur of the occasion, to deny the doctrine totally, absolutely, and without qualification.

The case did not require a decision upon that point, and the doctrine was not recognized./ He admits, “there may be cases, which fraud will take out of the statutebut the case, instead of sustaining the doctrine, as one of universal, or even general application, proves the reverse. In the State of Massachusetts, it must be admitted, the doctrine, contended for by the plaintiff, has been adopted. How far the courts of that State, having no court of chancery, were influenced by the consideration already suggested, is not for us to determine.

But the doctrine was subsequently examined by the Supreme Court of New York, and its soundness there distinctly denied. It must be admitted, we think, viewing the doctrine with reference to proceedings at law, that the weight of authority is most decidedly against it; especially, if we consider its adoption in some States, as a substitute for a distinct chancery jurisdiction.

In principle, wTthink it can not be sustained, as a general rule of law, in the broad terms made use of; but if it be applicable to any case, it must be to one of peculiar character, and under circumstances deserving of special consideration. It will not do to say that, whenever the cause of action originates in fraud, the statute of limitations does not apply. Such a decision would repeal the statute. The case is, in terms, em'braced in the statute, and, by the express provision of the law, the statute begins to run from the time when the cause of action accrues.

Whether the operation of the statute would be more equitable, if a different criterion were- adopted, is a question for legislative consideration.

We can neither repeal nor alter the stalute — we can, therefore, neither exempt the case from the operation of the statute, nor control that operation, by suspendjng jt tin fun knowledge is obtained, by the party, of the character and consequences of the injury. \ "Whether the ignorance of the party is fortuitous merely, or results from the character of the fraud, or the manner in which it is perpetrated, we consider immaterial.' We are of opinion, that where the cause of action is perfected, and the statute of limitations has subsequently run, the action is barred, although the party may have been ignorant of his cause of action, and that ignorance may have resulted from the character of the original fraud, or the manner in which it may have been perpetrated.

We are, by no means, sure that this is not the most equitable doctrine. The statute of limitations, as applicable to a case like this, is emphatically a regulation of policy. Its object is to -put a perpetual seal upon stale controversies, and prohibit their agitation, at a period, when the usual means of eliciting truth are not at hand, but are removed forever, — when right can not be ascertained, and justice must be administered at random.

If we make the protection of the statute to depend upon the plaintiff’s 'knowledge of his injury, we require the defendant to perpetuate the evidence of that knowledge, during all time; and we expose him, when this and other evidence, necessary for his defence, shall have passed from him, to fresh litigation, with no other guide to a correct adjudication, than the shreds of evidence, which accident, or a more subtle and sagacious adversary, may have preserved.

If we could engraft such a provision upon the statute, we should destroy its practical utility and defeat its great purpose. • Another and a more difficult question may arise. Whether, the cause of action being perfected, a subsequent, distinct and substantive fraud, having for its object to deceive the party in relation to his rights, would take the case out of the statute, is a question, which we do not deem it necessary to decide. Such a case might arise, where the action is founded on a contract.

In such a case, whether the remedy on the contract would be barred, although the statute may have run, in consequence of a fraudulent concealment, would admit, perhaps, of different consideration. We do not consider this case as of that description. Nothing is set forth in this replication, except what constitutes a part of the original deceit. This being the case, the subject falls within the rule already laid down. Nor do we think that the matter, set forth in the replication, amounts to such a fraudulent concealment, as would affect the Case, under any rule.

In the first place, a mere request of secrecy to a third person, sustaining to the transaction the mere relation of a witness, has never, as we believe, been regarded as an actionable fraud. Nor can we so regard it here, inasmuch as no application appears to have been made to the witness, to disclose the facts of the transaction, nor does any mis-representation appear to have been made to the party, in relation to them. In the second place, if we consider the representation, as to the cost of the contemplated purchase, as the gist of the action, the actual price paid is not important.

The question is, whether the defendant’s representations were bona fide, or otherwise ? and the mere fact, that he gave a less price than was expected, does not constitute a fraud. In short, it does not appear that there was any fraudulent concealment of the facts, known to the witness, nor, if there had been, does it appear that those facts were material to the action. Admitting that a fraudulent concealment would have the effect contended for by the plaintiff, still, that concealment must be of facts essential to the action.

Upon the whole, we see nothing in the case to take it out of the statute of limitations; and the judgment of the County Court must be affirmed.