109 Mich. 170 | Mich. | 1896
The bill of complaint in this case is based upon the following instrument:
“Detroit, Mich., February 25, 1893.
“Received of Louis Schiappacasse $1,000, part of the purchase price of the following described property, to wit: Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, and 13, part of Young-blood’s subdivision of part of the southeast quarter of section 11, of town 1 south, of range 11 east, excepting lots 1 and 328 to 350, inclusive, of plat known as ‘Palmer Park Subdivision,’ said exception fronting 18.85 feet on Woodward avenue, extending along the Six-Mile road to the Kelly road, and fronting on the Kelly road 120 feet, which I have sold him for Stephen Baldwin, Esq., subject to said plat, on the following terms: Price #100,000; #24,000 more cash to be paid on examination of abstract on, say, March 10, 1893; balance to be paid as follows: $5,000 in one year, and $70,000 in five years, from date of deed, to be secured by purchase-money mortgage, and to bear interest at six per cent, per annum, payable half-yearly. J. W. Simcock.
“I agree to buy the foregoing property, on the terms named. L. Schiappacasse.”
The bill alleges that, by this document, a sale was made, and that complainant has a vendor’s lien for the purchase price; prays for a sale of the property, and a personal decree against the defendant for the residue. The answer denies that any valid contract' was made with Mr. Simcock as the agent of complainant, or that complainant ratified the act of Simcock in making such alleged contract.
The sole authority which Mr. Simcock had, if he had any, rested in parol. The complainant, some days prior to February 25th, met Mr. Cameron Currie, a real-estate broker, in the street, and told Mr. Currie that his land was for sale, and wanted to know if he could find a pur
Until complainant had placed himself in such a position that defendant could enforce the contract against him, he was not in position to enforce it against the defendant. Until that was done, there was in fact no con
It is-evident from the testimony of Simcock, the defendant, and the other parties present when it was executed, that it was not intended to express all the terms •of the sale, but was only a preliminary contract. It was contemplated and understood that provisions were to be made for the release of lots as they should be sold by the defendant and those interested with him.. These and others provisions were to be inserted in -.the final papers, which were to be between complainant •and all these parties, and not with defendant alone. If the instrument had been signed by the complainant, or if Simcock had been authorized in writing to sign it, other important questions would arise, which, in the view we take of the case, it is unnecessary to discuss.
The decree is affirmed, with costs.