17 Tex. 170 | Tex. | 1856
It is the right of the defendant to be sued in the county of his residence, subject only to the exceptions enumerated in the Statute. (Hart. Dig. Art. 667.) The exception,, which is relied on to take the present case out of the operation of the general rule, is the last in the enumeration of exceptions in the Statute, and is thus expressed : “ in cases where the recovery of land, or damages thereto, is the object of the suit, in which cases suit must be instituted where the land or a part thereof is situated.”
It is not doubted that a suit might have the twofold object of the specific performance of a contract to convey, and also the recovery of the possession of land and mesne profits, or damages. But that is not this case. And it is very clear, a defendant cannot be compelled to answer in a county other than that of his residence, under this exception in the Statute, when the sole object of the suit, as to him, is a decree for specific performance ; though there were other defendants, against whom the plaintiff sought a recovery for an injury to the possession or estate.
The “ recovery of land ” manifestly has reference- to the possession ; and “ damages thereto,” as manifestly has reference to an injury to the possession, or to the freehold or estate \ and not, as the argument of the appellant assumes, damages for the breach of the contract to make title. Where the latter is the object, the suit is merely personal; the recovery operates in personam, fixing only the personal liability of the party contracting, not affecting the right of property or possession of the land contracted to be conveyed, and must be brought in the county of the defendant’s residence. So in the present case, a decree would operate only a conveyance of the legal title ; and should be binding upon the defendant personally to the extent of the obligation of his contract. It would not affect the possession of the land. And, in the case sup
It is not perceived that there is really any more foundation in the principle, for holding that tho case is within the exception, and that suit must'be brought in the county where the land lies, where it is for the specific performance, than where it is for the rescission of a contract for the sale of "land ; and. in the latter case we have heretofore decided, that it is not within the exception. (Morris v. Runnells, 12 Tex. R. 175.) In an analogous case, lately decided at Galveston, the same opinion was maintained as to the scope and extent of the exception. (Hearst v. Kuykendall, 16 Tex. R. 327.) The Court did not err in sustaining the plea to the jurisdiction, and the judgment is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.