Brockenbrough v. Blythe's ex'ors
Brockenbrough v. Blythe's ex'ors
Opinion of the Court
In the examination of this case, as between Blythe and his vendees, Broclcenbrough and Taylor, I shall put out of view their contract with Rogers, and shall consider it, as if they had continued to hold the lands, and had exhibited the bill in the first suit, and prosecuted it to a decree : I shall so consider the case, in order to simplify it, and because it can do no injustice to Broclcenbrough and Taylor; since their contract with Rogers could no wise vary Blythe's rights; and, as to him, they must be considered as having exhibited the bill that was filed in th.eir names, and as having prosecuted that suit. From the date of Blythe's sale, in September 1813, he took no step to perform his contract in respect of Miss Young's moiety; made no conveyance thereof to the vendees, with warranty; gave no security that her title should be conveyed when she should attain her full age. The subpoena against him was sued out in July 1815. The bill was filed in 1819. It made Blythe's representatives and Miss Young parties defendants: it contained an earnest call for a specific execution of Blythe's contract, as to Miss Young's moiety; and it was only in case Blythe should be unable to execute it specifically, that it asked damages for his breach of contract. Miss Young came of age in 1823, and put in her answer in 1824; in which, while she denied her obligation to do so, she consented to convey her title, upon receiving the purchase money with interest, which by the contract of September 1813, was to be paid to Blythe; and she filed a conveyance in court, to be delivered to the vendees, upon their paying the purchase money with interest. The chancellor’s interlocutory decree in that suit, pronounced in July 1825, was a decree for specific execution.
But it was objected, that the decree directs the sale of the whole of the land, unless the purchase money should be paid within a given time. This objection would seem to come with a bad grace from vendees, who have insisted on the specific execution of the cpntract. They could only expect to get the title which they have prayed for on paying for it. The purchase money was a lien upon the whole land.
Thus I am of opinion, that, as this case appeared upon the record in the first suit before the chancellor, his decree was right.
But, before the institution of that suit, other circumstances had occurred, other transactions had taken place;
In this bill of Brockenbrough and Taylor,—after setting forth their contract with Rogers of May 1815, and the proceedings and decree in the first suit, and alleging that that suit was brought and prosecuted by Rogers, in their names, without their knowledge or consent,—-they charge Rogers with misconduct in several respects : 1. in bringing the suit in their names alone, concealing from the court every trace of his contract with them, his possession of the property, and enjoyment of all its profits, making himself no party, and so stating the case, as to make them appear still the owners and possessors of the property: 2. in making Miss Young a party, against whom they pretended no claim whatever: and 3. in procuring a decree for her title, and putting upon them the burden of paying the purchase money of her moiety with interest, whereas Rogers was the person bound to pay both, and the person against whom the court would have decreed such payment, if he had made himself a party and fairly stated the whole case. Therefore, they prayed, that the decree in the first suit should be set aside, so far as it affected them, and that the execution thereof should be suspended and inhibited by injunction. The injunction was awarded; but the chancellor afterwards dissolved it; and it is from this order of dissolution in this cause, that the appeal was taken to this court. Was the injunction properly dissolved ?
It was said that Blythe’s representatives and Miss Young, who are in pursuit of the money justly due to them, ought not to be delayed by the disputes between the plaintiffs and Rogers. But it must be remembered, that those parties have ample security, and are getting interest on their money. We must remember, too, that “the constant aim of a court of equity, is, to do complete justice, by deciding
It was said also, that the original decree did not touch Brochenbrough and Taylor, and that therefore the dissolution could not hurt them. I cannot assent to this position : I think the decree does touch them, and very nearly too. The decree, to be sure, does not say, in so many words, that they shall pay the purchase money : but it says, that.upon their paying the purchase money with interest, the title deeds shall be delivered to them, and that, unless they pay it by a certain day, their lands (as the chancellor supposed them) shall be sold. Is not this, in substance, a decree against them for the money? Suppose the marshal sold these lands for half the purchase money due; upon the confirmation of his report, would not an execution issue at once against Brochenbrough and Taylor ? I doubt, whether even an order of the court would be necessary; but if so, it would be an order merely in execution of the decree.
But I place this point upon broader ground: I think Rogers was clearly wrong in bringing this suit in the name of Brochenbrough and Taylor solely, and concealing from the court his purchase of the land, and possession under it. I think this omission has operated injuriously to them; and that they had a right, by such a bill as they have filed, to have it reheard and corrected; and this without waiting till an execution had issued against them. I have already stated that the great object of equity is, to settle the rights of all persons interested, and cut up future litigation. Another ground of rehearing laid down in the books, is, where any facts materially affecting the case have been kept back. Suppose iJog-ershad made hirnself a joint plaintiff with Brochenbrough and Taylor, or made himself plaintiff, and them
It was objected, that there was not a perfect title to the lands. The answer given was a very satisfactory one; that there was not the slightest objection to the title in the hill, or any of the pleadings; that the parties had not put it in issue, and could not now raise the objection. When
I am therefore of opinion, that the order dissolving the injunction was erroneous, and that it ought to be reversed, the injunction reinstated, and the cause remanded, to be proceeded in according to the principles now declared.
I am of the same opinion. If we were now deciding this case as on an appeal from the interlocutory decree of July 1825, in the first suit of Brockenbrough and Taylor against Blythe’s representatives and Miss Young; or, in other words, if we are to be intirely uninfluenced by a regard to the contract between Brockenbrough and Taylor and Rogers; it would be perfectly clear, that that decree must be affirmed. For it would be nothing more than the common case of a vendee of land coming into a court of equity for specific execution of the contract; praying a conveyance of the land, on the terms of paying the purchase money. In that aspect of the case, Brockenbrough and Taylor cannot complain: they get the title which they ask, and with which they are satisfied, and they are directed to pay no more than the balance of the purchase money which
Has any thing been exhibited in the injunction case, calculated to shew, that the decree of July 1825 is in any respect wrong, so far as it may affect Rogers ? I think not. It does not appear from his answer to the bill, that he has any objection whatever to the decree, either as to the title of the land, or as to the balance of the principal due from him, for the purchase money. He seems to be perfectly satisfied with the decree, provided he is not made to pay interest on that balance. An exemption from interest, is claimed, on the ground, that the land owed its principal value to its mineral waters, which could not be rendered valuable without expensive improvements; and that these improvements could not be safely made so long as the title was in a state of uncertainty. But this objection seems to be the effect of an after thought. It certainly had no influence with Brockenbrougli and Taylor, during their occupation of the land; for they say, they expended large sums in improvements. Nor does Rogers pretend, that it had any influence with him, between the years 1815 and 1818. He does however say, that after that, he in a measure abandoned the land, in consequence of the uncertainty of the title. If this be so, why did he not communicate the fact to Blythe’s representatives, and file a bill for the rescission of the contract, instead of a bill for specific execution ? If he had then filed a bill for rescinding the contract, there is very little doubt but that Blythe’s representatives would have acceded to his wishes. He must submit to the consequences of his own acts. He made no complaint; he made no offer to rescind the contract; he retained possession of the land, preferred
But Rogers was not a party on the record in the first suit; and, consequently, the decree, so far as it relates to the payment of the purchase money, does not operate on him, the real plaintiff, but on Brockenhrough and Taylor, the nominal parties. When, therefore, it appeared from the bill in the second suit, that Rogers was the real party in interest, the chancellor ought to have reheard the original suit, so as to make the decree for the purchase money and interest fall exclusively on him; unless, indeed, he should be unable to pay it.
I am clearly of opinion, that interest upon the purchase money of Miss Young’s undivided moiety of the estate ought to be paid. To this conclusion I am equally led, in whatever aspect I view the transactions between the parties. . If we look upon her acquiescence in the contract upon the terms of receiving the principal and interest, as of the nature of a new contract, then it is obvious, that she must be entitled to receive that interest, upon which she insists as an indispensable part of the consideration of her conveyance. Whether Blythe ought to be charged with it to the exoneration of the appellants and of Rogers, will best appear by the examination I propose of the conduct and obligations of Blythe. Whether Rogers or the appellants ought to bear the burden, will appear hereafter.
Looking upon Miss Young’s acquiescence in the contract, not as a new contract, but as confirming and carrying the contract of Blythe into execution, how does the case stand ? Taking the .contract of September 1813, as one made by Blythe’s authorized agent (for though Stribling’s authority was questioned, yet all parties have united in waiving that question) what was Blythe’s engagement as to that portion
Blythe, then, did not break his contract by failing to give security or to execute a deed with warranty. Has he failed to comply with it since ? ! think Until that date. at age in 1833 not. Miss Young arrived ho was not hound ío pro
In the short view of the transactions which I have taken, it appears, then, that Blythe and his representatives have been in no default. He has procured the title of Miss Young, within a reasonable time. How that title was procured, how her acquiescence was obtained, is matter of no concern to the vendees. He did not represent himself as the owner. He fairly represented a minor as the owner, and engaged for her executing a title when the legal impediment of infancy should be removed. That engagement has been complied with.
Then, how does the question stand as to interest? The record presents the case of a vendor, who has delivered possession of the premises to the purchaser, which he has continued to enjoy without molestation; of a vendor, who has also faithfully complied with his engagement, that a good title should be made upon the happening of a particular event; until which event, he has left the purchase money in the hands of the vendee, as his security; and that vendee has thus, for more than eighteen years, by himself or his vendee, received the rents and profits, and held the purchase money also. Is there any principle of law or equity, which can justify us in saying he shall keep both ? Shall the purchaser for so long a period receive the profits, while
That rents and profits ordinarily bear but a small proportion to the interest of purchase money, cannot be denied. This is very strikingly the case in Virginia. Hence, where there has been a sale and delivery of possession, and the contract has been disaffirmed, there can be no propriety in the application of the rule. Accordingly it never has been so applied. But where a man purchases land, he has made up his mind to give his money, which would produce a good interest, for land, which will produce much less. Thus, in the present case: had the title been made, and the money paid, the purchaser must have been content with the scanty rents, while the seller would have been receiving full interest. Now, since a court of equity looks upon the sale, as complete so soon as the parties have contracted, it is, quoad
But it is said in this case, there were objections to the title which prevented the vendees from proceeding to improve the property, so as to render it profitable. To this there are many answers: 1. The difficulty in the title was one contemplated at the very inception of the transaction, and yet it was not provided that interest should not be paid. 2. If there were objections to the title, Blythe, I have shewn, was in no default. 3. The vendees have always had ample indemnity in their power 3 for they have not only retained the purchase money of the portion of which the title was doubtful, but they have also attached the whole purchase money of the residue, for the purpose of securing themselves. Had the title ultimately failed, they would have had, at this day, the 6750 dollars in Strihling’s hands, with the accumulated interest of eighteen years, to indemnify them for their improvements 5 or, if the whole contract had been rescinded, so that this sum would have become their’s again, then the land would have become Blythe’s, and that would have become liable. I cannot, therefore, but consider this as a pretext on the part of Rogers, who seems to have made no progress in improving 3 and as to Broclcenhrough and Taylor, they were obviously not arrested in their measures, as in less than two years they had laid out 4500 dollars. Upon the whole, I am satisfied, that Blythe’s representatives, or (which amounts to the same thing) Miss Young is entitled to interest as decreed by the chancellor.
We come next to Inquire who must pay it. Shall the burden fall on BrocJcenhrough and Taylor or on Rogers ?
By these articles, then, as I understand them, Brockenbrough and Taylor were bound to use their best endeavours for one year, to procure the legal title of Miss Young’s moiety, to be conveyed to Rogers; and if they succeeded, they were to receive 6750 dollars: if they did not, then they passed over to Rogers their rights as against Blythe, to be pursued by him in their names, if be pleased, but at bis own risque, and for bis own account; and in this event, they were to receive nothing for Miss Young’s moiety. If no title could be procured eventually, Rogers would have been entitled to any damages he could recover in their names, and they would neither have participated in those damages, nor received any equivalent for them. Or, if he proceeded for the title and recovered it, be would recover Jt l' for his own benefit and advantage,” and for his own account! and, of course, upon his own responsibility for
- Such, I think, is the clear interpretation of this contract. In compliance with it, Brochenbrough and Taylor, within the year, issued the attachment against Stribling. I attribute the act to them, because it was their duty to do it by the contract; and the compliance with that duty may be presumed, as the act was a proper one, as the suit is in their names, and there is no testimony going to fix the act on another. They also in further fulfilment of their contract to endeavour to get the legal title for Rogers, made an effort to procure an act of assembly authorizing a sale of Miss Young’s title. This was the only practicable mode of getting that title, within the year; and when they failed in this, and the year had elapsed, their rights and obligations were both at an end. From that moment, Rogers stood in their shoes, with full title to the benefit of their contract with Blythe, and of course bound by all its provisions. He acted accordingly. In 1819, he procured counsel, and instead of instituting a new suit, grafted his bill upon the proceedings already instituted against Blythe and Stribling. From that moment, the suit was his. It stood, indeed, in the names of Brochenbrough and Taylor, but not improperly, as Rogers had a right to use their names. It was for his own benefit and advantage, and under his exclusive management and control. They were not entitled to meddle with it, because they had contracted to permit' him to sue in their names “for his own benefit;” and he, and not they, was the proper judge of what was so. On
Upon the whole, I am of opinion, that from the expiration of the year after the date of their contract with Rogers, Brockenbrough and Taylor were cut loose from the transaction, except so far as they might have been liable to Blythe. The chancellor, however, has not decreed against them personally, but only against the land; and I think he has rightly considered the contract as intire, and the whole liable for the purchase money yet due with interest..
But although this view of the case would absolve the appellants from any liability except to Blythe’s representatives, in case the whole lands, and Rogers himself, should prove inadequate to the discharge of the purchase money; yet it is by no means a consequence of this opinion, that the chancellor erred in dissolving the injunction, obtained by the appellants to the decree in favor of Blythe’s representatives and Miss Young. This is, in truth, the only question before this court. There is no reason afforded by that bill for longer postponing their recovery of the equivalent for their estates, now for eighteen years in the uninterrupted enjoyment of their vendees, and of the claimant under them. I am clearly of opinion, that the injunction was properly dissolved. Whether the original decree was erroneous or not, we are not entitled to inquire, as it has not been appealed from, and as it is clear, that it was a matter of no concernment to the appellants, if I am right in my view of their rights and responsibilities. That decree, though rendered in a cause in which they were nominal plaintiffs, was not personally against them. It decrees, indeed, a sale of the lands, in the event of the purchase money not being paid
The decree entered by the court, declared, that the interlocutory decree of July 1825 in the first suit, was correct, so far as it decreed the payment of the purchase money to Miss Young, with interest on the instalments thereof from the dates when they were payable, or from which they were to bear interest, by the contract of September 1813, between the appellants and Blythe, and so far also as it subjected the whole of the land to sale, for payment of the purchase money and interest thereon remaining due; and there was no just grounds for a further delay of the sale. That, according to the just construction of the contract of May 1815, between the appellants and Rogers, and considering the possession of the lands taken and held by him,—. Rogers, after the lapse of a year from the date of that contract, and the failure of the appellants to get in Miss Young’s title within the year, was entitled to all their rights under their contract with Blythe, and liable (as between him and them) to all their responsibilities under it, and to all responsibilities that might arise out of any remedy he might select to enforce it. That the suit in which the decree of July 1825 was made, was one that Rogers had a
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Brockenbrough and Taylor v. Blythe's ex'ors and others
- Status
- Published