Citizens' Bank of Louisiana v. Johnson

Ludeling, C. J. On the twenty-seventh day of December, 1867, the' Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana obtained an order of seizure and sale, under an act importing confession of judgment, and containing the-fact de non alienando, against the property mortgaged, which was in the possession of Mrs. W. J. Bogan. 'Under a writ, issued in the case, the sheriff seized the property described in the writ, and was proceeding to sell the same, when he was restrained by an injunction obtained by Joseph Johnson, testamentary executor of Henry Johnson. [129] The injunction was granted on the allegation that the notes or obligations, secured by the mortgage, were extinguished by prescription— more than five years having elapsed since their maturity. The Citizens’ Bank prayed for the dismissal of the injunction for the following reasons, to wit: “ Because the stock-notes of Henry Johnson are not prescribed, the same being subject to annual payments, up to the expiration of the charter. “ Because prescription did not run during the war. “ Because the original debt of Henry Johnson has been assumed by the subsequent purcliasors, and late actual possessor, sued in this case, does not plead prescription.” There was judgment in favor of tlxe Citizens’Bank of Louisiana, dissolving tho injunction. From this judgment Joseph Johnson, executor, has appealed. In accordance with one of tho stipulations in the eleventh section oí tho charter of the bank, the annual payments necessary to a. renewal of the notes were made up to the first day of February, 1860 — since which period no payment has been made — and consequently the payment of tho notes has been exigible since the first February, I860. Section 11 of charter, acts of 1883, p. 181. More than five years having elapsed since the last payment, before tho bank instituted proceedings under their mortgage, tho claim would be barred by prescription if there had been no interruption thereof. The notes or obligations, which form the basis oí this suit, were executed by Henry Johnson, a stockholder in the Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana, in pursuance with the terms of the eleventh section of the charter of the bank, which declares that every stockholder in said corporation, on depositing and pledging his certificate of stoelc, shall be entitled to a credit equal to one-half of tho total amount of his stock j provided, that in proportion as such stockholder shall use the credit, he shall give his notes or obligations to said corporation for the amount so lent him, and shall pay interest thereon annually and in advance.” Acts of 1833, p. 181. The notes or obligations are in the words following: “ Be it known that I am well and truly indebted unto tho Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana, for value received, in the Bum of eight thousand three hundred and eighty-eiglit dollars, being the amount of mg credit as-a stockholder of two hundred and forty-four shares of said institution; which sum I will pay at the banking house of New Orleans, on the first dag of August, 1851, fixed, or renew, according to the provisions of the charter of said-bank. The payment of the aforesaid sum of money is secured by a deed of mortgage and pledge, passed by myself hnd wife, before Adolphe Boudousquie, notary public in and for this city and parish of Orleans, under date of this day. “II. JOHNSON. “New Orleans, March 1, 1851.” [130] The other note is for $4550, and was payable first February, 1852. In other respects it is similar to the one copied above. The notarial act, referred to in tlic notes, contains this declaration : “ And in order to secure furthermore unto the Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana the payment of the sum of twelve thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight dollars, amount of the said stock notes, and also the payment of the eventual interest above stipulated, the said Henyy Johnson does hereby pledge and pawn, in favor of said bank, the aforesaid three hundred and seventy-four shares It is apparent that the condition on which Henry Johnson,, deceased, borrowed the money from the bank, was that he should deposit and pledge his stock in the Citizens’ Bank of Louisiana to secure, the payment of his loan; and the notes and the notarial, act signed by Henry .Johnson establish the fact that this pawn and pledge was made by him. Whilst tills' pledge remained in the possession of the bank, prescription against the notes and obligations the pledge was intended to secure was interrupted, because it was a standing1 acknowledgment of indebtedness on the part of Johnson, “ Prescription is interrupted, and ceases to run, whenever the debtor or possessor-acknowledges the debt, or the adverse right'against which it ivas running! ‘ O. C. art. 3480. ' This'acknowledgment may be express or implied.- -In-this ease it is of the latter character.” 1 R. 556, Wilson v. Banner; 8 R. 145, Montgomery et al. Levistone. En ’general- la reconnaissance' du droit-; sOumis a la prescription-n’opere l’interruptioh que pour le passe, et permét a une .prescription' noavelle de recoinmencor a l’instant memo. \ -Mais, il cn • peut etre quelquefois autroment.' Ainsi, quánd un debiteur donne uii gage a sou creancier pour surete do la- creance, co n’est pas seulement pour le temps anterieur que la proscription est interrompu; elle eontinuerra de l’etre tant que le creancier rostra nanti du gage(, puis-qu’en lo lui lais-sans dans le mains, le debiteur'on ses heritiers renoñvellent constament la reconnaissance tacit de la dette.” Marcado Prescription, p. 146. ■Prolong, No. 618; Duranton,' No. 269. ■ It is therefore ordered, adjudged and deorecd that; the judgment of the lower'court be affirmed, and- that the appellant pay the costs of this appeal.