Stoddard v. Hart
Stoddard v. Hart
Opinion of the Court
In a loose and general sense the. equity of this case is on the side of the defendant, because he made the subsequent advance of $180, it being agreed that this, as well ás the original sum of $200, should be considered as secured by the mortgage. The question, however, is, whether the rules of law will give that effect to the transaction.
It will be convenient first to determine the legal construction and effect of the mortgage, unaided by the parol facts, but read in connection with the bond to which it is collateral. • On the part of the defendant it is contended that the two instruments, constituting, as they do, a single security, are to be read as one, and, therefore, that the new advance, being written in the
I think this proposition cannot be maintained. A bond and mortgage are two instruments, although one may be collateral to the other. The one is a personal obligation for the debt: the other createp a lien upon land for the security of that debt, and it may well be for a portion of the debt instead of the whole. If the personal obligation expresses two sums, and the collateral-instrument expresses only one of them, I see no reason why each should not be construed according to its own terms. - So, if the condition of a bond be for a larger, and that of the mortgage be for a smaller sum, the obvious effect of both the instruments is that the maker binds himself generally for the whole debt, while he specially pledges the mortgaged land for only a given part of it. In this case the written con-: dition of the bond is to pay $200, and the further sum of $180; while that of the mortgage is only to pay the $200. Bach instrument is perfect, and each admits of a plain construction and effect according to its own language. If we do not look outside of them, there is no ambiguity. A debt was created, consisting of two sums. The land was mortgaged for one of those sums only.
In the next place, if the doctrine were admitted that a mortgage passes the freehold or legal estate in lands, it would probably follow that a parol agreement that the security should stand for a new advance would be good against the mortgagee or any one claiming under him not having the rights of hona
At the commencement of this suit the defendant was proceeding to foreclose his mortgage, by advertising to sell the premises under the power of sale contained in the instrument; and he claimed in his notice both the sums of money in question. The plaintiff, before instituting the suit, tendered the sum of $200 secured by the mortgage, according to its terms, with the interest, and the costs which had accrued. From what has been said, it follows that this tender extinguished the lien and the power of sale, and that a sale afterwards made under the power would be a nullity. (Kortright v. Cady, supra.) Of course, we now speak of the lien as a legal one, expressed in the mortgage, and having no other existence.
It is claimed, however, that the defendant acquired some equitable lien or right to charge the new advance upon the land,land that, although such a lien or right' cannot be enforced in the manner attempted, because there is no legal power of sale to enforce it, yet, as the plaintiff asks the interference of a court of equity, he must do all that equity requires as the condition of relief: in other words, he must offer to pay the whole debt in specie to the plaintiff. The argument may be sound if the defendant did acquire any such equitable title or right: and this is the next subject of inquiry.
In England it has long been held that a deposit of title deeds by a debtor with his creditor is evidence of a valid agreement to give a mortgage, which agreement is enforced by treating the transaction as an equitable mortgage. It has always been
For analogous reasons I do not see that the defendant can derive any aid from the doctrine of reforming contracts in equity. If a writing does not truly express the agreement of the parties; if anything was omitted which was agreed to be inserted; or if anything be inserted contrary to their intention, equity will relieve against the mistake by reforming the contract. But in this case no mistake is alleged or proved. Everything agreed upon was done. The subsequent advance of money was to be inserted in the condition of the bond, and it was inserted accordingly. There was no agreement to make a new mortgage, or to change the terms of the existing. It is said the understanding of the parties was that the mortgage should secure this advance also; but it is not pretended that this understanding was to be expressed in any form of writing. If A should loan money to B, and take a bond with.the understanding that the farm of the latter should be considered a security, but with no intention or agreement to make a mortgage or writing of any sort, as the law requires, in order to create the lien, none would be created at law or in equity. The transaction, in judgment of law, would amount simply to a loan upon the bond of the borrower. Such, I think, in substance, was the transaction in question. There was no mistake, unless it be in misunderstanding the legal effect of what was said and done.' But even this is not alleged. It is not stated or proved that the parties believed or understood that the insertion of the new loan in the bond had the effect in law of enlarging the mortgage also.
• Will a court of equity, then, make a new contract, for parties in order to effectuate a mere understanding «where no agreement is pretended different from the one which the writing already expresses, and where there are no circumstances of surprise, imposition, fraud, or misplaced confidence ? To do so, I think, would be taking a step in advance of the settled
Judgment affirmed.
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