172 Mich. 505 | Mich. | 1912
Complainants filed their bill of complaint to enforce the specific performance of the following written option:
“Pontiac, Mich., Apr. 21, 1910.
“For and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, I hereby give to Hilberg & Doerr an option on building and lot known as No. 20 South Saginaw St., Pontiac, Mich., for a period of sixty days. Purchase price to be five thousand five hundred dollars. Int. 5% easy terms.
“Charles H. Greer.”
The only question in the case to be determined is
The infirmity of the writing, if any, depends upon its construction as to the time and terms of payment of the purchase price of the premises. The statute provides:
“Every contract * * * for the sale of any lands, or any interest in lands, shall be void, unless the contract, or some note or memorandum thereof, be in writing, and signed by the party by whom the lease or sale is to be made, or by some person thereunto by him lawfully authorized by writing.” 3 Comp. Laws, § 9511.
The question of the sufficiency of such, writings has been frequently before this court. In an early case in an opinion of this court written by Mr. Justice Cooley, where the question involved was almost identical with that in the instant case, the court said:
“ There was no written evidence of the sale of the lots except the receipt which was given for the $75, and that was insufficient to answer the requirements of the statute of frauds, for, though it specified the purchase price, it failed to express the time or times of payment and there is no known and recognized custom to fix what is thus left undetermined. A memorandum, to be sufficient under the statute, must be complete in itself, and leave nothing to rest in parol.” Gault v. Stormont, 51 Mich. 636 (17 N. W. 314).
The writing in question in this case reads, “ Int. 5% easy terms.” No inference can be drawn from this writing that the purchase price was to be paid in cash. Interest is fixed at a certain rate per cent., and “ easy terms ” are given. As to the length of time and the amounts of the payments — whether in one sum or in different amounts —the writing is absolutely silent. The words “easy
“ They do not, in our opinion, modify or cast any doubt upon the correctness of the rule laid down in Gault v. Stormont. ”
The decree of the circuit court is affirmed, with costs.