74 Ala. 295 | Ala. | 1883
— When land is sold and conveyed, leaving the purchase-money, or a part of it unpaid, there is a lien on the land in favor of the vendor, as security for the unpaid pur
The rule has exceptions. If an independent security be taken, our rulings are that, unexplained, this amounts to proof that no lien on the land was retained. — Foster v. Athenœum, 3 Ala. 302; Walker v. Carroll, 65 Ala. 61. There are some varying and conflicting decisions in England, on what is sometimes asserted as another exception to the rule. They are collected and commented on in 1 Leading Eq. Oases, 4th ed., pages 311* et seq. We deem it unnecessary to consider them, as the point of dispute and discrepancy arising in them is not presented in this case. They show, however, that whenever the conduct and dealings of the parties, in reference to the transaction, are not reconcilable with the idea that a lien was intended to be retained, then there is no lieu. — See, also, 1 Jones on Mortgages, § 198 ; 3 Pom. Eq. Jur. § 1252, and notes. This conrt has gone very far in upholding the vendor’s lien. — Buford v. McCormick, 57 Ala. 428; Carver v. Eads, 65 Ala. 190; Wilkinson v. May, 69 Ala. 33; Young v. Hawkins, at the present term.
This is the second time this case comes before us. — McCarty v. Williams, 69 Ala. 174. It is contended for appellant, that his amendment of the bill, after the case returned to the Chancery Conrt, takes it out of the operation of the principles declared on the former hearing. The most important of the amendments is, that when the compromise was made, and the new note given, the original purchase-money notes, signed by all the purchasers, were not surrendered, and are still in the possession of the complainant. Now, if those original notes are binding at all, they are binding on all the parties, and operate a lien on all the land. This would hardly be contended for. And if proceedings were instituted upon them, the other four purchasers could successfully defend both themselves and their lands against recovery. The true construction of the compromise contract is, that Williams agreed to surrender the original purchase-money notes, to convey the land, and to trust the five several purchasers, each for his share or proportion of the bal
The decree of the chancellor is affirmed.