Moody & Jemison v. Paschal

Watts, J. Com. App. There is no doctrine better settled than that where two or more writings are executed at the same time, between the same parties, and in reference to the same subject matter, that they are to be taken as parts of the same transaction, and as forming one entire agreement. Wallis v. Beauchamp, 15 Tex., 305. An assignment for the benefit of creditors may consist in one or several instruments. And where two or more writings are executed simultaneously between the same parties, with reference to the same subject matter, which, when construed together, constitute an assignment for the benefit of creditors, they will be so considered and held by the courts. Burrill on Assignments, § 128, and authorities cited. Here the conveyance to Paschal and his defeasance were simultaneously executed in fact between the same parties, and with reference to the same subject matter. And when taken and construed together, they undoubtedly constitute an assignment for the benefit of creditors. It is claimed by appellants that the court erred in overruling their motion for new trial, for that the purported assignment was void upon its face, and therefore the verdict was against the evidence. This same question is also presented by bill of exceptions on the admission of the instrument in evidence, and also arising out of the charges given and refused. [485] There are two clauses in the defeasance that, it is claimed, render the assignment void. The first is in these words: “ I am to retain in my hands such an amount for costs and attorneys’ fees as may be necessary and proper to defend the interest of the creditors named in said schedule A.” Those named in schedule A were the preferred creditors according to the terms of the assignment. The second clause claimed to render void the assignment is in these words: “Whatever may remain shall be paid over fro rata to the said creditors mentioned in said schedule, till all are paid, if the said assets shall amount to sufficient to satisfy said claims; and whatever may remain after the payment of said claims shall be paid out on any other legal claims properly established against said T. W. Daugherty, that I may see proper to pay and satisfy.” Perhaps the first clause, notwithstanding the language, might be susceptible of the construction that the assignee was thereby empowered to employ counsel and pay their fees out of the property, whenever it might become necessary, to enable him to retain possession of the property and administer it under the assignment for the benefit of these preferred creditors. This he would be authorized to do without its being so expressed in the assignment. In Burrill on Assignments, § 230, it is said: “But when a debtor, in an assignment giving preferences, first provided for the payment of all costs and expenses necessarily incurred by the assignee in defending any suits • that might be instituted against him by any creditor or other person for anything growing out of the assignment, or in any way connected with it, it was held that the assignment was fraudulent against his creditors.” Citing Mead v. Phillips, 1 Sandf. Ch., 83. If the provision under consideration could be so construed as to authorize the assignee in using the property in that way, so as to delay the execution of the trust, then its effect would certainly be to delay and hinder the non-preferred creditors in getting at the surplus. Owing to the view entertained with respect to the other clause, it is not deemed necessary to express any authoritative opinion as to the effect of the first clause. In Barnum v. Hempstead, 7 Paige, 571, etc., it was in effect held that when an insolvent debtor makes an assignment of his property, and confers upon the assignee discretionary power to give a future preference to a creditor, or to a class of creditors, over others, in [486] payment out of the proceeds of the property, the assignment is fraudulent and void. Chancellor Walworth, in that case, said: “So long as debtors are permitted to make assignments of their property, in trust for payment of their debts, without consulting their creditors on the subject, it is absolutely necessary, for the protection of the rights of the latter, that the equitable interests in the assigned property should be fixed and determined by the assignment itself.” And again: “ And an assignment which thus places any of the creditors in the power of the debtor, or of his assignee, must have the effect to delay or hinder his creditors in the collection of their debts.” In Grover v. Wakeman, 11 Wend., 203, the court says: “It has repeatedly been decided that an assignment which does not declare the uses, but reserves to the assignor the power of subsequently doing it, is fraudulent and void. And if the assignor cannot reserve the power to himself of giving preference, he certainly cannot legally confer it upon his assignee. The same objection in principle exists in both cases.” See, also, Sheldon v. Dodge & McLean, 4 Denio, 217; and Strong v. Skinner, 4 Barb., 546. In Burrill on Assignments, § 228, the doctrine is thus stated: “ But a power given to assignees to declare future preferences, or change the order of preferences already given, will render the assignment void.” That clause of the assignment under consideration certainly confers upon the assignee, or rather attempts to confer upon him, power to declare future preferences as to those creditors who had not been preferred by the assignment. In other words, the assignee, as to the non-preferred creditors, could, in disposing of the surplus, malice such preferences as might suit his whim or caprice. In our opinion there is no sort of doubt but that the assignment is by reason of said clause fraudulent upon its face, and therefore void, and the court below erred in holding otherwise. The judgment ought to be reversed and the cause remanded. Reversed and remanded. [Opinion adopted December 11, 1883.]