McGavock v. Deery

41 Tenn. 265
CourtTennessee Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 15, 1860
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 41 Tenn. 265 (McGavock v. Deery) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Tennessee Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
McGavock v. Deery, 41 Tenn. 265 (Tenn. 1860).

Opinion

Caruthers, J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The complainants in both bills are creditors of the Deerys, who failed in business, and have become insolvent ; but were possessed of a large property, subject to these debts. But not having enough to pay all, and having given various trust deeds and liens upon it, this contest has arisen for priority of satisfaction, between Gordon, under his assignment of 18th April, 1856, registered 6th November, 1856; and the beneficiary, in [267]*267a deed of trust to Cox, made and registered lsi October, 1856. The real estate has been sold for a large amount, near $50,000, under an interlocutory decree, but is not sufficient to satisfy the creditors in both deeds. Two objections are taken to Gordon’s claim to priority.

1st. That his deed of assignment is invalid, for want of a sufficient description of the property assigned. The language used is, their 11 joint, or joint and several undivided interest in the real estate of William Deery, their father, late of Siillivan county, deceased, xoherever the said real estate may be situated, to havo and to hold the said undivided interest, severally, or in common, belonging to the said Deery Brothers, according to law, as heirs or devisees of the said William Deery, their father, to the said Gordon, his heirs, and personal representatives, forever.”

This description is very general; but according to the authorities, it is not so vague and uncertain as to render an assignment void. 4 Cruise’s Dig., title 31, ch. 21, sec. 57, it is laid down, that lands will pass in a deed, by the words, “ all the estate which descended to the grantor from J. S.” He cites Shep. Touch, 250. This is very analogous and closely in point, and the authority is high. The case of Jackson vs. Delaney, 11 John. Rep., 365, and 13 John., 554, is also in point, and so is that of Brashier vs. West: 10 Curtis, 614, from 7 Peters, 608. See also, Meigs’ Digest, 764; 3 Hayw., 243, 248. Burrell on Assigns, 262-3-4-5, is an additional authority on this point.

It is easy to ascertain, from the description in this deed, what is the property assigned. It is all their [268]*268interest in tlie real estate of their father, who died in Sullivan county, wherever it may be situated. The titles of their father must be in writing, and to these in effect, reference is made for the quantity and description of the property.

But, if this were not so, and the objection available, the defect would be remedied by the competing deed to Cox, in which all the said real estate is particularly described; and it is declared in that deed to be the same assigned to Gordon, whose rights are reserved and secured, according to his deed of April 18th, 1856.

2nd. The second objection to the deed of Gordon is, that it provides for, and secures future advancements on liabilities to be incurred. There is no adjudication of this Court upon that question, and it is an open one so far as our cases go.

As to the two cases referred to in our Reports, the question, instead of being decided, is expressly left open.

In Peacock vs. Tompkins, Meigs’ Rep., 328, the Court, after stating that it had been argued that it did not vitiate an assignment, that it provided for future advances to the maker, say: “Without deeming it necessary to assent to, or repudiate, this proposition, it is sufficient to remark that such is not the stipulation in the deed upon this record.” In the other case, of Neuffer vs. Pardue, 3 Sneed, 193, it is said: “One creditor is not allowed to provide security for himself, as to future debts and dealings, by parol.”

We need not now consider the question as to how far prospective advances of goods or money may be secured by mortgage, because, to raise that question, the case must be expressly set forth in the deed; for it is [269]*269well settled' that a subsequent debt, under a parol agreement at the time, or by distinct contract, cannot be looked to or embraced by a mortgage, or assignment, which is silent in relation thereto. And this last is the case before us. So, in both cases, it will bo seen that the question was only referred to because it had been discussed by counsel, and to state that it did not arise in the case before the Court, and therefore it was improper, or unnecessary, to decide it. All that is decided in either case, (and that is done in both,) is, that an assignment will not be held to secure future advances, or subsequent debts, where there is no stipulation to that effect in the deed; that it cannot be done by a parol agreement or understanding.

But now, the question is directly presented, whether this can be done by express stipulation in the deed, and we may properly decide it. The purpose and scope of this assignment is stated in the beginning of the instrument in these words: “Whereas, said Deery Brothers are carrying on, at Allisonia, the spinning of cotton yarns, and the manufacture of cotton goods, which they are in the habit of consigning, for sale, to said Gordon, and of drawing on him, upon the faith of said consignments, for the purpose of raising money, by anticipating the sale of said yarns and goods, by means of said Gordon’s accepting said drafts, and said acceptances often exceed the amount, or value, of the consignments; and the said Deery Brothers desire to enable Gordon to indemnify himself against the contingency of such excess of drafts not being provided for by them, they, in consideration of the premises, and of the sum of one dollar, Ac., convoy, Ac.” A full and ample power to sell all, or any [270]*270part, of the land, is conferred, where necessary, for the protection, or indemnification of G-ordon.

There can be no doubt at all, upon the authorities, of the validity of such assignment, when fairly and bona fide made.

The power to give such securities seems to be almost indispensable in a trading, commercial country, where credit and confidence must be maintained for the success of trade. Manufacturers and dealers in the produce of the country, are obliged to obtain acceptances for a large amount; and in order to do so, they must, in some mode, secure against loss the capitalists from whom they obtain advances, or who enable them so raise money upon the credit of their acceptances, or indorsements.

In Conrad vs. The Atlantic Insurance Company, 1 Peters, 448, the principle is clearly stated, that mortgages “may as well be given to secure future advances and contingent debts, as those which already exist, and are certain and due. The only question that properly arises in such case, is the bona fides of the transaction.” This position is well sustained by numerous authorities cited: 2 Powell on Mortgages, 588; 3 Cranch, 73; 7 Cranch, 34; 2 Cowan, 246-293; 1 Pickering, 389; 24 Pickering, 274. In Bur. on Assignment, 76 to 79, the same doctrine is maintained, and cases cited.

It is clear, then, that the assignment to Gordon is not obnoxous to objection on this ground. The only question then, is, to what extent did he make advances, or incur liabilities, for the Deery Brothers, under this deed before the 15th of October, 1856 — the_date of the deed to Cox. He claims a large amount — between thirty and forty thousand dollars. The Chancellor only gave [271]*271him a preference for $12,000, because that is the amount stated in the Cos deed.

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