Manning v. Brown

10 Me. 49 | Me. | 1833

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Parris J.

The defendant gave the plaintiff’s testator three several notes, payable at different periods, each of which had become due at the commencement of this action. The defence rests upon the construction of certain articles of agreement entered into between the parties at the time of giving the notes, and which, the defendant contends, shews a conditional contract, and on his part entirely optional. The notes are particularly described in the articles of agreement, and the whole, having been executed at the same time and constituting the same transaction, are to be construed together.

The consideration of the notes is the covenant on the part of the promisee, that on their payment the promisor shall be entitled to a deed of a certain lot of land. For the defendant it is insisted, that the contract is conditional and dependent, and therefore he is not liable on the notes. If it were conditional on his part, that is, if his promise to pay was conditional, depending on the prior performance of some act on the part of the promisee, which had not been performed the position would unquestionably be sound. That such was not the intention of these parties is manifest from the agreement on which the defendant relies. By that, the payment of the notes by the defendant is a condition precedent to his becoming entitled to a deed. His promise to pay is absolute ; — the plaintiff’s promise to give the deed is conditional, and it is not for the former to avoid his absolute promise because he has accepted, as a consideration therefor, the conditional promise of the plaintiff.

We find nothing in the case of Johnson v. Reed, 9 Mass. 78, which supports the construction put upon this agreement by the defendant. On the contrary, the Court, in that case, manifest a determination to look to the true intent of the parties, as apparent in the instrument, to determine whether covenants or promises are independent or conditional; and courts generally, at the present day, are more anxious to give effect to the intentions of the contracting parties, and not by refined and subtle distinctions, and an adherance to quaint technicalities, to outrage common sense and decide contrary to the real meaning of the parties and the true justice of the case. Platt on Covenants, 72 — 80.

The defendant further contends that the agreement has been rescinded and annulled in consequence oí his neglecting to pay the notes, and he relies upon the concluding clause in the agreement, which is in these words, “It is understood and agreed “ by and between both parties, that in failure of the above pay- “ ments, this agreement is to be void and of no effect, and the “ said Brown to pay all damages that shall arise in consequence “ of having said land in possession.” What is to be void upon the failure of the payment ? Not the notes, but the agreement by which the plaintiff’s testator covenanted conditionally to give a deed.

But if he enforces payment, he waives the right to avoid this covenant. He has the election, either to compel payment of the notes and be answerable on the covenant to give a deed, or waive his right on the notes and hold the defendant answerable under his covenant to pay all damages. He takes the former course, and, if he succeed in enforcing payment, the defendant may resort to his remedy under the agreement. 2 Hovend. on Fr. 19; Brashier v. Gratz, 6 Wheat. 528; Bank of Columbia v. Hagner, 1 Peters, 455; Hepburn v. Auld, 5 Cranch, 262.

The defendant relies on Winter v. Livingston, 13 Johns. 54. That case resembled the one before us in many of its features. Livingston gave notes to Winter and took from him a bond covenanting, among other things, to convey certain real estate on payment of the notes, with an express declaration of the intention of the parties, that if either of the notes should not be paid, when it became due, the covenant of Winter to give a deed should be void. The notes were not paid, and Winter took possession of the land. The Court say, “ The “ notes in question were given as the consideration for the re- “ conveyance of the land by Winter to Livingston, according “ to the covenant entered into between them. By this cove- “ nant, however, it was provided that the agreement was to be “ void, unless Livingston paid his notes as they fell due. He “ did not pay them, and of course, the agreement was void, “ if Winter elected so to consider it. And the case fully “ shows that he availed himself of this forfeiture, for he went “ on and sold the land for his exclusive benefit.” — Not so in the case at bar. Manning did not elect to consider the agreement void. He did not enter into or sell the land, but permitted the defendant to retain the undistui’bed possession. —■ He has not, therefore, availed himself of the forfeiture, but, by enforcing payment of the notes, has waived it. There was a good and legal consideration for them when .they were given and that consideration has neither failed or been cancelled.

The exceptions are overruled, and judgment is to be entered on the verdict.