Morrison v. Lods

California Supreme Court
Morrison v. Lods, 39 Cal. 381 (Cal. 1870)
Rhodes

Morrison v. Lods

Opinion of the Court

Rhodes, C. J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court, Temple, J., and Wallace, J., concurring.

In cases of this character it is to the interest of the parties—at least the losing party—to have a written finding of the facts filed. As to the tender by the defendant to the plaintiff, or his agent, of the money paid by the plaintiff’s agent, at the time of the execution of the contract of sale, the evidence is conflicting, and the presumption in support of the judgment is, that the Court found that issue against the defendant. It is clear that the defendant cannot have a rescission of the contract without making such tender.

The evidence, in our opinion, clearly shows that the false representation set up in the answer, was made by the plaintiff’s agent. This fact would be fatal to the decree for specific performance of the contract of sale, had the defendant shown that such false representation occasioned him any damage; that is to say, that he would have been injured by the performance of the contract. The only evidence in the record, upon which he might have relied to prove the damage—the receipt given by the plaintiff to Dewey—was excluded upon his objection. The rule is well settled that a recovery cannot be had for a false representation, without proof of damage. (Pasley v. Freeman, 3 T. R. 51; 2 Smith’s L. C. 55; notes to saíne case.) It is equally well settled that a party to a contract cannot rescind or avoid the contract on the ground of a false representation made by the other party, unless he shows, in addition to the false represention, that he will be damaged by the performance of the contract. (1 Story’s Eq. Sec. 203.)

Judgment and order affirmed.

By Sprague, J. : I concur in the judgment.

By Crockett, J.: I dissent.

Reference

Full Case Name
SAMUEL A. MORRISON v. CHAS. L. LODS
Cited By
8 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
Pbactice__Specific Performance.—Findings.—In actions for specific per formance of contracts of sale, it is to the interest of the parties, at least the losing party, to have a written finding of the facts filed. Specific Pebfobmance.—Rescission of Contract.—A party to a contract cannot have it rescinded, without a previous offer to refund the money received on account of the contract. Idem.—Rescission of Contract.—False Representation.—A false representation by a party to a contract, wül not entitle the other party to rescind or avoid the contract, unless he show, in addition, that he would he damaged by its performance. False Representation. —Damages. —A recovery cannot be had for a false representation without proof of damage.