Champneys v. Wilson

1 Charlton 206

Opinion

SSy CMAiaTOS, Judge.

THIS is a motion to set aside the award rendered in this case, upon the following exceptions:

1st. Because excessive damages have been awarded to the plaintiff, in this case. 1st. that interest has been allowed by them on the rents of the year 1813, 1814 and 1815, although the accompanying affidavit of Joseph Law proves an offer having been made by the defendant through the said Law to Mr. Roswell King, the agent of the plaintiff, to pay the rent agreed on between Mr. Wood-ruff, the prior agent, and the defendant, for those years, which offer was rejected by the said Roswell King. And that the same offer was made to R. W. Habersham, Esq. attorney for plaintiff, who postponed any adjustment or payment, at or about the time of the offer, by referring the subject for consideration at the next Liberty Court.

2. Interest has been allowed by ihém for the years 1816,1817, 1818, and 1819, on a rent valued by themselves, never previously ascertained by the parties, and the demand for which was in the nature of an open account, or damages for a supposed trespass, neither of which could legally carry interest.

3. During the years 1816 and 1817, Wilson was in law, the tenant under the agreement between Woodruff and himself for the payment of $25 00 per annum, whereas the award subjects him to the payment of $137 50 per annum, a rent entirely beyond a just consideration for the occupancy of the premises, if no agreement subsisted, and therefore excessive, for the years 1818 and 1819 also.

II. Because the arbitrators not having agreed on the matters referred to them, called in as umpire Sam’l. S. Law, who subsequently decided without having heard the testimony of Jos. Law, who had been named by defendant as a material witness for him;

III. That contrary to the express understanding of'the arbitrators, as stated in the accompanying affidavit of Thomas Mallard, one of them, the other, Jno. Stevens, had several interviews with the said Sam'l. S. Law, on the subject of the submission, and that Mallard was not invited to advise with the umpire, and that he {Mallard,) had consequently no opportunity of removing the impressions on the said Law’s mind which the exparte explanations of Stevens may have produced.

IV. Because contrary to practice in cases of umpirage, and in opposition to the principles of common justice, the said Samuel S. Law did not convene the arbitrators to deliver to them his decision, precluding thereby Mallard’s requiring all testimony for defendant first to be read or heard by him, and in case of refusal to read or hear, precluding his protesting against the decision impartiality, or impropriety, ifhe had thought any existed.

The prominent causes usually assigned in law or in equity for setting aside an award do not find a place in these exceptions— and these causes are, corruption, partiality, or concealment of'essential circumstances. An award may also be set aside upon a variety of other grounds, and particularly, that urged by Mr. Jackson—where the arbitrators intending to act upon, and follow a principle of law, happen to mistake it. But, in a late case, Kyd on awards (Amer. Edit. 1808) p. 351. “Where no lawyer could doubt upon the point of law, this distinction was laid down by the Court of King’s Bench ; that where the arbitrators meaning to follow the law in their determination happen to mistake it, this is a good ground for setting aside their award, so far as it is affected by that mistake ; but that knowing what the law is, or laying it entirely out of their consideration, they make what they conceive, under all the circumstances of the case, to be an equitable decision, it is no objection to the award that in some particular point it is manifestly against law.”

The following is the submission and award in this case, “It is agreed by Roswell King in behalf of the plaintiff, and by Josiah Wilson the actual defendant, that the plaintiff be at liberty to take a verdict; and that all questions as to rent which has accrued, and all other questions respecting the previous occupancy of the lands in question between the parties, shall be submitted, forthwith, to two gentlemen of this county, the one to be appointed by the plaintiff, or Roswell King, Esq. his late attorney, and the other by Josiah Wilson, or his attorney, to whom all evidences, documents and agreements for rents and damages shall be submitted, and who shall thereupon decide what sum or sums of money shall be paid by the defendant, to the said plaintiff or his representatives, for the previous use and occupancy of the said land and damages ; and if the said two persons shall disagree, they may call in a third, and the decision of any two shall be final and conclusive between the parties.

(Signed) ROSWELL KING, for Plaintiff.

JOSEPH WILSON,

The subject matter of disagreement between the parties in the above case was referred by them to the decision of Thomas Mallard and John Stevens, Esqr's. A meeting was accordingly held at Riceboro’ on the 10th January, to receive testimony, and hear explanations; the parties attended, made their several statements, and submitted a number of documents. In order to give the subject a patient and strict investigation, it was determined by the arbitrators to take the papers to their respective abodes, examine them leisurely, and again convene, whenever they were prepared to make a decision. On the 4th of February, they accordingly convened, and on comparing opinions, a disagreement was found to exist on some material points : Hence it became necessary to call in a third person; and agreeably to the powers in them vested, they called upon Sam’l. S. Law, Esq. Whereupon the following decisions were determined upon, and are hereby declared by us, the undersigned arbitrators, to be our solemn decisions on the case, viz: 1st. The lands in question came into the occupancy of Col. Wilson by an agreement entered into between him and Geo. Woodruff, Esq. for J. Champneys. This agreement made the 10th Feb’y. 1813, authorized Col. Wilson to enter on the premises and cultivate 50 acres of land, by paying 50 cts. per acre at the expiration of each year. The motives which prompted the attorney to give a lease at this low rate, were no doubt founded in policy, to wit, to have any tenant upon the spot to watch over the premises, and particularly the buildings. But it is a fact well known, that the buildings on the plantation, were in a state of dilapidation at the time, as scarcely to be worthy of notice; nor are we in possession of sufficient testimony to satisfy us, that Col. Wilson did commit a trespass on them. We therefore decide that the agreement between Wilson and Woodruff, shall be sustained; or, in other words, that for 3 years following 10th Feb. 1813, Col. Wilson,shall pay 50 cts per acre for 50 acres of land, with interest, upon the several rents as they respectively became due, (see statement subjoined.) 2ndly. On further examination of the documents submitted, it is also apparent, that Mr. R. King, succeeded Mr. Woodruff in the agency.' Hence all former agreements ceased, and it became the duty of Colonel Wilson, to make arrangements, under the authority of the new agent. In order, to this, it is perceived, that he opened a correspondence with Mr. King, in behalf of Mr. Sam,l. Lewis and himself, on the subject of purchasing those lands—after many and various letters had passed between them, in relation to the purchase, it was at length determined to refer the valuation of the lands in question to three disinterested persons—Accordingly, on the 33d Feb’y. 1818, the persons designated appeared on the premises, and made a valuation. It does seem to us to have become the duty of Colonel Wilson either to receive the lands at the valuation then made, on the condition of good and sufficient titles being executed to him, or to have abandoned them altogether. But as he refused to do the one, and still held on to his possession, he subjected himself to the payment of a high rent, for so much of the land as he cultivated. It is a fact well known, that during the last four years of his possession, Col. Wilson made good crops of Cotton on the land, and that the price of the article for these years was equal to any price before or since known in our country. Hence we decide, that for four years following the 10th Feb’y. 1816, Col. Wilson shall pay $3 50 for every acre which he cultivated, with interest on the several rents as they respectively became due—(see statement subjoined.) We consider Col. Wilson to have been the tenant of Champneys, until the 10th Feb’y. 1830, at or about which time he delivered up the premises to Mr. Mell. It is true that Mr. Mell rented the lands from Wilson, and that an agreement in writing was entered into between them, but it is equally true that this agreement was cancelled in a few weeks thereafter. Wilson expressed to Mell his desire to surrender up the land, if he, Mell, would release him from his contract; Mell acquiesced in his wishes, and soon after communicated with Mr. King, the agent on the subject. It is certain that Wilson never received any rent from Mell—and it appears to us to be wholly immaterial, by whom the rent is paid, whether by one or the other. Hence we decide that Wilson shall not be made responsible for the rent of the premises for the years 1820 and 1821. 3dly. It is claimed by Col. Wilson, that a suitable allowance ought to be made to him for the buildings, and other improve, ments which he caused to be made and erected upon the plantation—also that the expenses which he was at as defendant in the case of ejectment, ought to be placed to his credit in the account. To the first claim, we answer,- that it does not appear to have been the understanding of the parties, that any buildings should have been erected upon the premises, except for the special use and convenience of the tenant; that Col. Wilson occupied the premises sufficiently long to be compensated for the improvements which he made, and that it is an!'acknowledged fact, that he did cause to be carried away some of those improvements. To the second claim, we answer, that although the agent Mr. King may have been in the wrong for not staying the suit, when he Wilsort, offered to give up the land on certain conditions, yet Col. Wilson was certainly wrong for making any plea to the ejectment, except that the suit was an unnecessary one, as he had, or would relinquish the premises. We therefore decide, that no deduction ought to be made in either case. 4thly. Mr. King as agent claims damages from Col. Wilson, for trespasses committed by him while tenant—to this claim we answer, that we are not sufficiently versed in principles of law to make a legal decision, but on principles of Equity we unhesitatingly declare, that so far as those trespasses have been made known to us, whatever may have been the motives for their perpetration, we do not believe that any essential injury has ultimately resulted to the property of the plaintiff. Hence we decide that no damages ought to be awarded by us under this claim. The foregoing decisions so far as our feeble judgments extend, are based on the principles of Equity and Justice. If they shall prove satisfactory to the parties, we shall feel amply rewarded—But if otherwise, we have the consolation to know, that we are justified by a tribunal superior to the opinions of men, our own consciences.

¡Statement of Mentis.

Rent of 50 acres ofland, at 50 cts. per aci-e, from 10 th )

Feb. 1813 to 10th Feb. 1814,

$25 00

Interest on $50 from 10th Feb. 1813 to 10th Feb. 1822, 16 00

Rent as above from 10th Fob. 1814 to 10th Feb. 1815, 25 00

Interest on the saibe for seven years, 14 00

Rent as above from 10th Feb. 1815 to 10th Feb. 1816, 25 00

Interest on the same for 6 years, 12 00

Rent of 55 acres of land at $2 50 acre from 10th Í

Feb. 1816 to I Oth Feb. 1837, $

137 50

Interest on this amount for 5 years, 55 00

Rent as above from 10th Feb. 1817 to 10th Feb. 1818, 137 50

Interest on this amount for 4 years, 44 00

Rent as above from 10th Feb. 1818 to 10th Feb. 1819, 137 50

Interest on this amount for 3 years, 33 00

Rent of 15 acres of land at $2 50 per acre from

10th Feb. 1819 to 10th Feb. 1820, $

37 50

Interest on this amount for 2 years, 6 00

•Total amount, $705 00

Liberty Co. 15th Feb. 1822.

JNO. STEVENS, SAM’L. S. LAW.”

I think the arbitrators have followed the law of Georgia in allowing interest upon the rents under the contract between Wilson and Woodrv.ff, and subsequently, for the reasons they have assigned : but if they have not followed the law, it does not appear they intended to do so, and if such was not their intention, it only remains for me to ascertain, or rather to be convinced, that they have framed an equitable decision. I am convinced that the arbitrators have rendered an equitable decision, and it does not appear to me, that they meant to adhere to any strict principles of law. They have rendered their award under an unusual solemnity of feeling, and with perfect candour and impartiality. This was a reference to ascertain the damages the plaintiff Champneys had incurred, and which the defendant ought to pay as mesne profits, after consenting that Champneys should take a verdict against him in an'action of ejectment. Under the circumstances slated in the award, a jury would most certainly have given, damages, equal to, if not exceeding the amount awarded. Mr. Habersham suggested this, I agree to it, and it affords one of the strongest features in the case to reconcile me to the equitable decision of the award. There was no necessity to give any notice of what is termed the umpirage of the third person called in by the nominated arbitrators, because under the terms of.the submission he was only an arbitrator; and the award would have been good with his approbation and signature with that of the persons, selected by King, the agent, and Mr. Wilson. Mr. Lewis’ testimony could only have had a reference to the contract between Woodruff and Wilson—it had therefore no material bearing upon the justice and equity of the award, and must besides have been known to all the arbitrators previous to the award.

Habersham, for the motion—Law, against it.

Motion overruled. Ordered, That judgment on the award be entered up as of the last term of the' Superior Court of Liberty County.