Cram v. Union Bank
Cram v. Union Bank
Opinion of the Court
The first question that arises upon the motion for the nonsuit is, whether the transfer from Hattison to Whaples covered the demand in question. The transfer conveyed the one undivided half of all the property or valuable things of the firm of Roach & Hattison of any name and kind. By the same instrument Whaples undertook to pay the one-half of all the debts of the said firm. An inventory was made, which, it was supposed, contained a statement in substance both of the assets and the debts of the firm. There was, however, no covenant or restriction which limited the effect of the agreement to the securities, or the debts specified in the statement. The sale was of the entire interest in the partnership property. The purchaser was to receive the one undivided half of the firm property,
The defendant further insists that Whaples never transferred this credit to the new firm of Whaples & Roach, and that therefore the same never passed under their assignment to the plaintiff. The latter assignment was of partnership property simply, and if the claim in question had not been made over to the new firm, it certainly would not pass under such an assignment. On this subject Whaples testified that after receiving the transfer from Mattison, he immediately entered into copartnership with Mr. Roach, and says, “ I put into the business the property I received from Mattison.” This evidence was given without objection, and is quite consistent with the written agreement between Roach and Whaples. A transfer of “ the property received from Mattison,” means a transfer of the whole of such property, and includes all that in fact or in law passed under the assignment of Mattison. In his printed argument, the appellant insists that he was at least entitled to have this question submitted to the jury. This is an after thought. The course of the trial and the opinion of the court below give strong reason to believe that the contest on the trial was confined to the effect of the transfer from Mattison, and that
The principles laid down show that the rulings at the trial were correctly made.
The judgment should be affirmed with costs.
The bill of sale executed by Mattison to Whaples, conveyed and transferred to the latter all the interest of Mattison in the partnership property and effects, being the undivided half of all the property and things in action enumerated in the instrument, and “ all other property and valuable thing or things belonging to said firm, of every kind and nature.” This language is broad and comprehensive, and clearly embraced the entire interest of Mattison in the copartnership property. It did not limit'the effect of the bill of sale, because the parties did not know that there was a balance of the price on deposit with the defendant. It would pass by the assignment the same as if this particular item had been known by the parties, and such was clearly their inten
The fact that an inventory was taken of the property, does not, by any means, alter the effect and meaning of the written contract of the parties. Upon sales of this description it is not uncommon to make an inventory of the property intended to be sold, and it is usual for the parties to embrace every article of property known to them; but unless the contract expressly provided that the inventory is to control, it cannot be so construed, as it is to be supposed if such was the design that the bill of sale would have contained phraseology which limited the sale to the inventory. Such is not the case here, but language of the most general character is employed, so as to comprehend all kind and species of property, without any regard whatever to that which is enumerated in the inventory.
At the time when the bill of sale was made, an inventory of all accounts and bills payable, due from, or owing by this firm, was also made out, which is not referred to in the contract, which provides that Whaples shall pay one-half of all debts and liabilities, and indemnify and save harmless the party of the first part thereupon. If a debt had been left out of the inventory, could it be claimed that Whaples was not liable for this debt ? I think not. And for the same reason it cannot now be urged as a defense, that the claim in question did not pass by the bill of sale.
It is evident that in the transaction between the parties, it was contemplated that the purchaser should occupy precisely
Upon the facts presented in this case there was no question of fact whether or not it was the intention of the parties to confer title to the money. That intention was entirely apparent from the bill of sale itself, and even if the inventory had been introduced it would not contradict the plain import of that instrument. Nor was it competent, in my opinion, to introduce evidence of conversation had between the parties, to show what in fact was the property of the firm of Whaples & Roach. The instrument showed what was actually, transferred, and the law fixed what property belonged to the firm. The evidence offered would have been parol testimony to contradict a writing, and was, therefore, not admissible.
There was no error upon the trial, and the judgment must be affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ambrose Cram v. The Union Bank of Rochester
- Status
- Published