Halsmith v. Castay

17 La. Ann. 140

• Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Decided: June 15, 1865
• Status: Published

Opinion

Labatjve, J.

Plaintiff alleges, in substance, that, on the 9th day of October, 1860, the defendant agreed and contracted to sell him certain lots of ground and buildings thereon, for $3,000; that, on the 25th day of October, 1860, the said Oastay refused to comply with the terms of sale and execute the act of sale, in consequence of which, he, the said plaintiff, has suffered damages to the sum of three thousand five hundred and fifty dollars, which the said defendant is legally and equitably liable to pay him.

He prays that said Oastay be cited and ordered to comply with said contract of sale, or to execute the act of sale ; or, in default thereof, to pay petitioner .|3,550, with interést. '

The defendant, for answer, by way of peremptory exception, says that plaintiff’s petition discloses no right of action, and, should this exception be over-ruled, then he pleads a general denial.

Upon this issue, this case came on for trial below, when plaintiff offered to prove, by divers witnesses, the allegations set forth in his petition. Defendant excepted to reception of said parol evidence to establish, aeon-tract of sale of lots, as alleged in the petition, upon the ground that pa^ rol evidence could not be received, the law requiring written evidence. The plaintiff also offered parol evidence to show the damages suffered by him in consequence of the defendant refusing to comply with his agreement. The defendant objected to the said parol evidence. The court over-ruled the objection and admitted the testimony, and the defendant excepted to the decision of the court.

We are clearly of the opinion that the District judge erred in receiving, in the first place, parol evidence to establish a contract of sale of immova-bles, and, in the second place, to show damages resulting from the noncompliance of defendant in refusing to pass an act of sale of the lots in question. C. C. Arts. 2255, 2414, 2415. Even a promise to sell must be proved by writing. C. 0. Art. 2437; 1 An. 459; Hennen’s Digest, p. 525, Evidence, 14, Nos. 1 and 2; same wort, p. 526. No. 14. It is not an open questibn, and the jurisprudence is settled on that subject.

It is therefore adjudged and decreed that the judgment of the District court be annulled and reversed. It is further adjudged and decreed that plaintiff’s demand be rejected, and that he pay costs in both courts.