Adams v. Hammon
Adams v. Hammon
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court.
The complainant Hammon, by his bill in Chancery, charges “that he sold to the defendant Adams a mill-seat on Licking river and a small piece of land on both
The defendant in his answer admits in substance the first contract set forth in the bill as to sawing and grinding. As to the alleged partnership he states that almost every thing had been done in relation to the erection of the saw mill, except the irons, &c.; and it was agreed
We do not clearly perceive how it was that these gentlemen met as arbitrators nearly three months before the order was made appointing them to that office. We suppose, however, that the parties had in vacation made the appointment, and that the action of the Court was merely in confirmation of that previous act of the parties. Their award is drawn up in the manner of a decree. It forever restrains Adams from erecting the mills on the opposite side of Licking river; it decrees that he shall grind the complainant’s grain for his family use, at all times hereafter toll free, unless prevented from doing so by unavoidable accidents; it also decrees that the complainant and defendant are equal partners in the saw mill and in one undivided fourth part of the six acres of land; it dissolves the partnership, and directs that in low water the grist mill shall have the preference of the tide; and then decrees that the saw
At the May term, 1849, the Court confirmed all these acts of the commissioner and awarded a writ of habere facias possessionem.
By the foregoing statement, it will be seen that the arbitrators, in their award, acted upon some matters not embraced in the controversy of the parties as set forth in bill and answer, and that they have made the complainant a partner in the saw mill, and in the land around it, when the complainant himself has not aver-ed that the partnership was so extensive. The agreement in writing between the parties, which should have been previously noticed in this opinion, is dated some days after the date of the deed from Hammon to Adams, and in that instrument Adams undertakes to grind Hammon’s grain for family use toll free, as long as said mill keeps in operation. The award does not limit the obligation to grind by the operation of the mill, but by unavoidable accidents. The agreement stipulates that Hammon is to have the one half the benefit of the sawing tide time, so long as the mill remains in operation. The defendant denies that Hammon was entitled to any further benefit or privilege, and there is no other proof in the cause. But whatever objections there may be to the award, it was the duty of Adams to have taken exceptions to it in the Circuit Court, if he had opportunity to do so, and if he failed to object when he might have been heard, he should not now be permitted to complain. We are constrained to say that no such opportunity appears to have been given. The award was returned immediately upon the appointment of the ar
There is nothing in the record to show that Adams had any reason to suppose that the award would be immediately returned into Court, or that the Court would forthwith approve of it, and order it to be recorded. Nor is there any evidence that he had ever seen it or been furnished with a copy of it, or waived his right to have one. “ It is erroneous to rend.er judgment on an award at the return term, unless the party objecting to it had been furnished with a copy of it, or waived objection to the omission to give him a' copy:” (4 J. J. Marshall, 227.) “ The law secures to each party the right to a copy of the award fifteen days before it shall be entered as the judgment of the Court:” (2 Bibb, 159.) When a copy has not been delivered, the judgment of the Court should be postponed until the next term: as thereby giving the party that time to avail himself of any objections to the award, would completely afford him the benefit the law intended, by requiring the delivery of a copy; (2 Bibb, 162.)
We deem it very questionable, to say the least of it, whether Hammon’s remedy against Adams for refusing to grind or saw for him, or for negligently or wilfully not keeping his mill in order, (if in fact he has so failed,) is not at law exclusively. Circumstances may, however, exist which would render it proper for the Court to decree a specific execution of the agreement between these parties. So far as the facts are presented in this record, there is nothing to authorize the oi’der or decree forbidding Adams to erect the additional mill; but as the case may assume a very different aspect after the cause is returned to the Circuit Court, we deem it proper at present only to determine, that the Court erred in acting on the award so speedily, and that time should be afforded each party to take exceptions to it; and if the exceptions shall be in whole or in part sustained, then that such other proceedings be had in the premises as the equity of the case requires.
Wherefore, the decree ®f the Circuit Court is reversed, and the cause is remanded, with directions for other and further proceedings, in accordance with this opinion.
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