Comstock v. . Johnson, 46 N.Y. 615

Comstock v. . Johnson

46 N.Y. 615 | NY | 1871

[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *617

[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *618 The principal question in this case, involving the construction of the grant of water, was correctly *620 decided in the court below. It is well settled in this State that the terms used in this grant are to be taken as a measure of the quantity of water granted, and not a limitation of the use to the particular machinery specified. (Wakely v. Davidson,26 N.Y., 387; Cromwell v. Selden, 3 id., 253.) It was found by the court that, at the time the defendant shut the water off, he asserted that the plaintiff had forfeited his right to the water, and claimed a right to shut it off. In this he was mistaken. In depriving the plaintiff of the use of the water under an assertion of forfeiture, he rendered himself amenable to the process of the court for the protection of the plaintiff's rights. The judgment enjoining the defendants from depriving the plaintiff of the quantity of water to which he was entitled under his deed, cannot be disturbed. The only serious question in the case relates to the use of the buzz saw in front of the mill. The plaintiff did not, by his deed, acquire the title to the land in front of the mill, because the description is limited to the land upon which the mill stands; but he did acquire an easement in such land for the purpose of ingress and egress, and also for the purpose of piling and sawing wood for the use of the mill, as it had been used and enjoyed for forty years. Everything necessary for the full and free enjoyment of the mill passed as an incident, appurtenant to the land conveyed. (2 Kent's Com., 467;Blaine's Lessee v. Chambers, 1 Serg. Rawle, 174.) But this would not authorize the plaintiff to erect and use machinery upon this land not necessary to the use of the mill, as it had been used, and would not authorize the use of the buzz saw upon that land. The objection is not that the plaintiff propelled the buzz saw with the water from the dam, as he had the right to use the water for any machinery and in any place which he was entitled to occupy; but he could not occupy the space in front of the mill for that purpose. At the time the water was shut off by the defendants, it was being used only to propel this saw; and it is claimed that the defendants were justified in shutting off the water from that machinery, and for that reason the judgment should be *621 reversed, or, at least, that it should be modified so as to restrain the plaintiff from using his buzz saw on the defendants' premises. As we have seen, the judgment against the defendants is fully warranted by the findings; and the question is, whether any modification should be made against the plaintiff. It is a rule of equity that he who asks equity must do equity. The plaintiff was in fault in using the buzz saw on the defendants' premises. It is said that this was an independent transaction, for which the defendants might have an action; and this was the view of the court below. The rule referred to will be applied when the adverse equity grows out of the very controversy before the court, or of such circumstances as the record shows to be a part of its history, or is so connected with the cause in litigation as to be presented in the pleadings and proofs, with full opportunity afforded to the party thus recriminated to explain or refute the charges. (Tripp v. Cook, 26 Wend., 143; McDonald v. Neilson, 2 Cow., 190; Casler v. Shipman, 35 N.Y., 533.)

All the facts connected with the right of the plaintiff to use the buzz saw were not only spread out upon the record, but were in fact litigated upon the trial, and, as to his strict legal rights, are undisputed; and we cannot say that, but for his use of the saw on the defendants' premises, the water would not have been shut off. Whether this was so or not, the controversy in relation to his right to use the saw was involved in the litigation, and was intimately connected with the wrongful act of the defendants; and, being so, it is proper to apply the equitable rule. It is not indispensable to the application of this rule that the fault of the plaintiff should be of such a character as to authorize an independent action for an injunction against him. The plaintiff, in strictness, was in the wrong in placing his buzz saw in front of the mill. The defendants were in the wrong in shutting off the water, and especially in asserting a forfeiture; and, as both parties are in court to insist upon their strict legal rights, we think substantial justice will be done by modifying the judgment so as to enjoin the plaintiff from using the buzz saw on the *622 land in front of his mill, and, as modified, judgment affirmed, without costs to either party against the other in this court.

All concur.

Judgment accordingly.