Ricks v. Burlesson
Ricks v. Burlesson
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The covenant sued upon, was executed by Ricks, binding himself to pay $750 for two hundred acres of land, Burlesson’s occupant claim, on which he resided, so soon as B. obtained a grant, and made Ricks a deed. The land sold was to adjoin Duncan’s and Rogers’, and a tract of land purchased by Burlesson of Hogan. The grant was obtained. It includes two hundred acres adjoining the land referred to; and it is proved the occupant claim, when the contract was made, had been surveyed and marked out by lines, and that the grant corresponds with the survey. A deed was tendered for the land granted. This was in strict compliance with the condition precedent, on Burlesson’s part, to be performed before he was entitled to the money. ■ This bond bears date the 26th December, 1827.
On the 24th day of December, 1829, Burlesson executed to Ricks a title bond, covenanting so soon as he got a grant, he would make Ricks a title to the land that day sold him, to wit, two hundred acres adjoining said Burlesson’s seventy-five acre entry on the north and east, and Duncan and Rogers on the west.
Whether covenants are dependent, or independent, must always be judged of by the court, from their evident sense and meaning. 1 Chitty’s Plea. 279, 281.
We think that these are independent. By the contract of 1827, Burlesson was bound to convey different land to authorize him to recover from Ricks, than he was bound to convey by the covenant of 1829.
The duties imposed on Burlesson by the two covenants, are so different that it was impossible he could comply with both by a two hundred acre grant. He could not include the marked occupant lines, which he must do, to comply with the covenant of 1827, and go north of the seventy-five acre entry, in conformity with the covenant of 1829.
The instructions of the court to the jury were correct, and the judgment must be affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
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