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3 Wend. 348

McLachlan v. Wright

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1829

New York Supreme Court · decided 1829-10-15

Eeeoe from the New-York common pleas. This was an ac^on °f trover, brought by McLachlan against Wright for the taking of two horses, two drays and the harness of the same, a pleasure wagon and harness, six or seven kegs of beer, and several empty hogsheads and barrels. The property was taken by virtue of executions on judgments in favor of Wright against one Bacon.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently February 1835

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1829-10-15

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¶1By the Court,

Marcy, J.

¶2The judge in the court below intended to confirm his charge to the law of the case of Bissel v. Hopkins, (3 Cowen, 166,) but he mistook in supposing, as he seems to have done, that the mortgagee in that case had been in the actual possession of the articles mortgaged. It will appear from a critical examination of the facts of that case, that Hopkins, the mortgagee, never had the actual possession of the property in dispute. Other cases are to be found in the books similiar in this respect to Bissel v. Hopkins. The circumstances of that case were considered sufficient to repel the prima facie evidence of fraud arising from the continuance of the possession of the mare in Dryer, the original owner. In the case before us, I discover no eircmstanees to evince the bonafides of Ba*350con’s possession of the property after the transfer to the plaintiff. The facts appear to me to warrant the verdict. Bacon was embarrased; the transfer of the property was kept secret, even from those in his employment; he not only had the possession of the property, but used and disposed of it as the absolute owner. No better reason can be assigned for its continuance in his possession after he had sold or mortgaged it to the plaintiff, than must have existed in every case where this continuance of possession has been adjudged fraudulent. Although the charge of the judge may be objectionable, the verdict was right, and the judgment ought not to be disturbed. (2 Wendell, 596.)

¶3Judgment affirmed.

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