Ingalls v. Hahn

This was an action to recover damages for the breach of a contract to sell and convey real estate. The defendant contracted “ to sell and convey ” to the plaintiff, “ in fee simple, by a good and sufficient deed of conveyance, with covenants of warranty, free and clear from all liens, rights of dower or other incumbrances,” the premises described in the contract.

On June 1, 1886, the day named in the contract for its performance the defendant offered and tendered to the plaintiff a deed of the premises, duly and properly executed and acknowledged by himself, individually and as trustee, and by. his wife. This deed *105the plaintiff refused to accept on the grounds: 1. That there was some doubt or uncertainty about the defendant’s right or power to convey the premises. 2. That there was a local assessment which was a lien thereon. 3. That there was a question as to the title to a strip of the premises included in the description.

On the trial the validity of these objections was litigated by the parties; and the court found “ that on the 1st day of June, 1886, the defendant had, in fact, a good and sufficient title to the prem ises in question; that the deed tendered by the defendant, if accepted, would have conveyed a good and complete title to the premises in .question; that on the 1st day of June, 1886, there was, in fact, no outstanding trust, .title, interest or lien impairing the defendant’s title to said premises.”. These findings are supported by the evidence in the case; and the facts thus found must be regarded as established. Notwithstanding the fact that the court made the foregoing findings, still it held that the plaintiff was entitled to recover the sum of $1,000 paid on such contract, and $2,000 liquidated damages provided for thereby, on the ground that the title offered was doubtful. We do not think that this conclusion can be sustained.

The nature of this action should be kept in mind lest the prin ciples governing it be confounded with those relating to actions of a different character. This is not an action to require the vendee to specifically perform his contract by accepting the title offered. Nor is it an action by the vendee asking that a court of equity relieve him from his contract upon the ground that the title offered is not free from reasonable doubt. This is an action at law to recover damages for a. breach of the covenants set forth. In such an action the party bringing it must satisfy the court that the title offered is absolutely bad. It will not be sufficient to show that it is doubtful. (Romilly v. James, 6 Taunt., 263; 1 Marsh., 592; Boyman v. Gutch, 7 Bing., 379; 5 M. & P., 222; Camfield v. Gilbert, 4 Esp., 221; O’Reilly v. King, 2 Robt., 587; S. C., 28 How., 408; M. E. Church Home v. Thompson, 20 J. & S., 321; Bayliss v. Stimson, 21 id., 225.)

To enable the plaintiff to maintain this action the law requires that the defendant should be proved to have been in default in the performance of his agreement. That could only be done by proof *106tbat tbe defendant did not own tbe property, tbat there were bens or incumbrances upon it, or tbat be bad refused or neglected to convey after a tender of tbe purchase-price and request by tbe plaintiff. Proof of one or tbe other of these facts was necessary to entitle tbe plaintiff to recover tbe damages awarded. (Walton v. Meeks, 41 Hun, 311, 314, and cases cited; Murray v. Harway, 56 N. Y., 337, 344.) The cases cited by tbe respondent are not in conflict with this doctrine. In an action in equity,' to compel a specific performance, or for relief from a contract on the ground of tbe uncertainty of tbe title offered, another and different rule applies. Such are tbe cases cited.

In this case there was not only an absence of proof tbat tbe defendant’s title to tbe property in question was defective, or tbat tbe defendant was in default in tbe performance of bis agreement, but it was. affirmatively proved tbat be tendered, in performance on bis part, a conveyance which would have transferred to tbe plaintiff a good and complete title of tbe premises, free from, outstanding trust, title, interest or ben.

Under these circumstances we think tbe plaintiff in this action was not entitled to recover, and tbat tbe judgment appealed from should be reversed and a new trial ordered, with costs to abide tbe event.

Judgment reversed on tbe exceptions and a new trial ordered, with costs to abide event.