Brasher v. Davidson
Brasher v. Davidson
Opinion of the Court
—On the 21st July, 1863, one Dickson sold and conveyed to Davidson a certain tract of land, in consideration of two thousand pounds of cotton, to be paid to J. P. Dickson on the 1st day of November, 1864.
Failing to deliver the cotton, the legal representative of Dickson, who had died, brought suit to recover the value of the cotton, and the only question presented for our decision is, whether the defendant was liable to pay the value of the cotton at the time appointed for the delivery thereof, or the highest price between that time and the judgment. Defendant does not deny having received the land sold, and, although the land was conveyed by a bond for title instead of a deed, as he made no objection to the conveyance, and relies upon and holds the consideration of the cotton, he has become liable for the payment of the value of the cotton, upon the same principle as if money had
It is not an open question in this court that a party who fails to deliver a specific article, for which he has received payment in advance, is liable to pay the highest market value thereof from the breach of contract to the day of trial in court.
This was the principle decided by this court in 1849, and reported in the case of Randon v. Barton, 4 Tex., 289, and reaffirmed in 1855 in the case of Calvit v. McFaddin, 13 Tex., 324.
As the court erred in deciding that the party was liable for the value of the cotton at the time of the maturity of the note the judgment will be reversed, and cause
Remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Rachael Brasher, Administratrix v. Izaah Davidson
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Where, in consideration of a tract of land sold, the defendant gave his note for four thousand pounds of picked cotton, which he failed to pay, the measure of damages was the highest market value of the cotton from the maturity of the note until the day of trial. (Paschal’s Dig., Note 283, p. 144.)