Ross v. Smith

19 Tex. 171

• Court: Texas Supreme Court
• Decided: July 1, 1857
• Status: Published

Opinion

Hemphill, Ch. J.

The appellant, who was plaintiff below, brought suit against the appellee, on the following note:

[$132 10.] January 1, 1855.

One day after date I promise to pay to the order of C. Vincent, one hundred and thirty-two dollars and ten cents, value received, with interest, at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, from maturity, until paid. JAS. E. SMITH.

The note was read to the jury as evidence, against the objection of the defendant that the plaintiff had not offered any proof of ownership. But, in the charge, the Court instructed the jury that the plaintiff was not entitled to recover, unless they were satisfied, from the proof, that the plaintiff was the owner of the note; and that possession of the note was not suffieent proof of ownership.

The note being the only evidence offered, the jury found for the defendant, and the plaintiff appealed.

The note was not indorsed specially to the plaintiff, nor was it indorsed in blank; and the only question is, whether the mere possession, without proof of a bona fide assignment or transfer, either by parol or writing, was primafacie evidence of ownership.

The only instruments in which the law recognizes the property as passing, like coin, with the possession, are those termed negotiable, and which are transferable by delivery, viz: bills and notes payable to bearer, or payable to order and indorsed in blank. The legal right to the property secured by such instruments, passes by delivery; and the possession is prima facie evidence of right in the property. Such instruments pass by delivery from hand to hand; and though they may have been lost or stolen from the true owner, yet the possession of the holder is prima facie proof of right; and if he be a bona fide transferee for value, his title will be perfect, whether the one from whom he received the instrument had any title or not. (Miller v. Race—Notes in Smith’s leading cases, p. 258 ; Greneaux v. Wheeler, 6 Tex. R. 523 ; Story on Promissory Notes, Sec. 43,196.)

But such is not the rule with reference to instruments not negotiable, or which do not pass the legal right by delivery. A third person, not a party to such note, must show by what right he claims to recover from the debtor, or—in other words—that he holds under a bona fide assignment, valid ih law, from the owner of the note.

The defendant, by his counsel, has insisted and shown, from numerous authorities, that a chose in action may be assigned verbally or by delivery, as well as in writing. (Heath v. Hall, 4 Taunton, 326 ; 13 Mass. 304 ; 15 Mass. 485, 486 487.) An assignment of a debt may be by parol, as well as by deed. (2 Story's Equity, 1047.) A delivery of a chose in action, for a valuable consideration, is sufficient, and passes the title. (19 Johns. R. 96.) He also insists that, to make the parol assignment good against the debtor, it is not necessary that the assignee should give notice of the assignment to the debtor.

It is no doubt true, that the assignment of a debt does not, in equity, require the assent of a debtor; although it may be important to the assignee that such notice should be given, or otherwise the rights of third persons may intervene to his prejudice. (2 Story’s Equity, 1057.) To give an action at law, it seems that the debtor must consent to the agreed transfer of the debt; but in equity it is otherwise. (3 Swanston, 392; 5 Adolph. & Ellis, 114.) There is no doubt that an assignee by parol or delivery, of an unnegotiable note, is entitled at law to sue the maker in the name of the assignor, and in equity to bring suit in his own name.

The only question is, whether the mere possession of such instrument will authorize the holder to bring suit, or whether he must prove the fact of delivery or transfer for a valuable or other sufficient consideration. (2 Barbour, S. C. 94 ; 3 Comstock, 93 ; Story’s Equity, 607.) And it seems clear, that he must prove that he came honestly, and, for a sufficient consideration, into possession. Where the legal right to the debt, secured by a negotiable note, passes by delivery, the law, for the benefit of commerce, has recognized the property as passing with the possession; and that possession is consequently prima fade evidence of title. But this is an exception to the rule by which property is proved in personal chattels, and it does not extend to the possession of notes which are not negotiable. The possession of such note, without other proof, does not give the holder the right to judgment on the note. (2 Tex. R. 351.)

Judgment affirmed.