14 Tex. 558 | Tex. | 1855
This action, to try title, was commenced in February, 1855. In 1842 the plaintiff had sold the land to one Stephens, executing a bond for title and acknowledging, in effect, that he had received, the purchase money. Stephens went into possession in 1843, and died in 1844 or 1845. His widow married Garrett, who administered on the estate of Stephens, and who in January, 1848, assigned the bond (by indorsement) to McMillan, signing his name as administrator of Stephens'. McMillan afterwards assigned, by indorsement, to Harper. And the defendant, Thompson, was recognized by Harper, and so stated by him in evidence, as his tenant. The possession had been, to a great degree, continuous—first by Stephens, and then by those who claimed under the assignment from the administrator of Stephens. It was proved, however, that the administrator of Stephens had no authority to sell, there being no order of the Probate Court, nor was he joined by his wife in the sale.
The judgment was for defendant, and the plaintiff appealed.
The errors assigned are :
1st. In the charge.
2nd. In refusing charges.
3rd. In admitting an incompetent witness.
4th. In not granting a new trial • and
5th. In other respects.
The first assignment, viz : of error in the charge, is justly complained of by counsel for appellee, as being too vague; but having been informed by appellant’s counsel, of the specific objections, he discusses them in his brief.
It is an admitted principle, that in an executory contract for the sale of land, equity considers the vendor and vendee reciprocally trustees for each other, one for the land and the other for the purchase money. In contemplation of equity, the vendee is actually seized of the estate ; and this seizure becomes perfect, on the payment of the purchase money. We have repeatedly decided that the equitable title of the vendee, who is not in default, may be set up in defence, against an action by the vendor, to eject him from possession, and that such title will sustain an action for the recovery of the land. (8 Tex. R. 42; 3 Id. 462; 5 Id. 23; 7 Id. 210.)
The title of the vendee not in default, and especially after the payment of the purchase money, is superior to that of the vendor. In fact the latter is but a shadow, contrasted with the substance and efficacy of the former. The vendee has an undisputed right to this title, and can constrain the conveyance, if not voluntarily made, and equity looks upon what ought to be done, as actually performed. It is very clear that the plaintiff could not recover against Stephens, the vendee, or any claiming under him by assignment valid in law—and the question is, can he recover against the defendant, the assignment by Garrett to McMillan being invalid and contrary to law ; and this will depend upon whether, in law, he should be considered a mere naked trespasser, having legally no connection with, or right under, the sale to Stephens by the plaintiff. For were he a mere trespasser, intruding upon the land, re
But in this case the defendant is not to be regarded as a mere trespasser. The assignment of Garrett, the administrator of Stephens, to McMillan, though void, on the evidence, and without effect as against the wife and heirs of Stephens, yet may be regarded as a permission to McMillan to go into possession, and which has never been revoked or disturbed by any one having competent right or authority. The vendor having sold the land, received the money and placed the vendee in possession, has no concern with the subsequent transactions of the vendee or those who represent him in relation to his claim in the land. When required to make title, he may refuse to convey to an assignee of the vendee, unless-he show a regular chain of assignments ; but he cannot seize on the land himself, on pretext of defects in the mesne conveyances between subsequent vendees. Their respective rights, legal or equitable, must be adjusted between themselves. In such controversy, he has no interest. As long as the possession continues with the permission of the vendee or his representatives, no matter in what way that permission be given, the vendor cannot disturb such possession or claim it for himself.
Where a vendor has not surrendered possession, there is no doubt that he could maintain it, against any one except the vendee or a claimant under him by valid conveyance. But where the vendee has gone into possession, the purchase money being paid, the vendor would have no right to resume possession, unless against an intruder who set up no claim under the vendee and discarded all connection with him. We are of opinion that there was no error in the charge as given,
Another objection to the charge is, the instruction that proof by one of the subscribing witnesses to the bond from Wright to Stephens, that he did not see the purchase money paid, is not sufficient to overturn the acknowledgment of Wright in his bond, that he had received value for the land. This is said to be improper, as charging on the weight of evidence. But this is not a charge upon the weight, but upon the legal effect of such evidence, and this it is the province of the Court to give in charge to the jury.
As to the objection to Harper as a witness, on the ground of incompetency, it is sufficient that the specific objection to his testimony does not appear from the bill of exceptions. This should be stated, that it may be obviated if possible, and that the substance, if there be any in the objection, may be known. His evidence was as much, if not more against than for his interest. For if there had been recovery for plaintiff, he would have been responsible over to defendant, having acknowledged himself as the landlord.
Judgment affirmed.