Morgan v. King

18 Barb. 277, 1854 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 52

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: August 8, 1854
• Status: Published

Opinion

Hand, J.

The defendants object that the injunction was allowed before the summons was served, or the suit in fact commenced. If they are right, as to the fact and the rule of practice, when they procured the modification, the motion to dissolve was denied without prejudice to their right to renew the motion to dissolve after answer. I think that necessarily» disposed of this preliminary objectionr, for the answer could be of no service in deciding that branch of the motion.

The injunction which the defendants seek to remove, restrains them from “ obstructing the Raquette river by means of any darn, pier, boom, logs or otherwise, so as to prevent the passage of the logs of the- plaintiffs” to their mill, “ and from preventing the plaintiffs removing, and from interfering with the .plaintiffs, their servants or agents, while removing, in a proper manner,” their logs “ through and out of the pond and booms controlled by or in the possession of the defendants.” The counsel on both sides argued the question of the rights of the parties generally; and if the defendants have a right, not only to stop the passage of the logs of the plaintiffs to their own mills below, but to prevent them from removing their own logs from the pond or boom of the defendants, after they have been stopped by such boom, it must be on the ground that the defendants are the absolute owners of the river at that place; and that the public have no right of passage whatever : unless the defendants can also justify such detention, as being necessary to the preservation of their own property.

There are certain general principles applicable to rivers, which necessarily have an important bearing upon this motion. The courts have taken Sir Matthew Hale’s celebrated treatise De Jure Maris, &c., as a text book; and it would seem that very few questions can arise, except in the application of its doctrines to the circumstances of each particular case. Some of our streams differ in many respects from those of the old country; still, I think, those general principles that govern there, must to a great degree control here. Where there is a flux and reflux of the tide, prima facie, the stream is navigable ; and the river, including the soil under it, is the property of the public. (Ang. on Wat. 204. 3 Kent, 427, 212, 414. Munson v. Hungerford, 6 Barb. 269. Miles v. Moore, 5 Taunt. 705. Rex v. Smith, Doug. 441.) Above the flow and reflow of the tide, it is not what is termed “ navigable,” and the owner of the banks is the owner of the bed of the river, and has the exclusive right of fishery. (Hooker v. Cummings, 20 John. 90. The People v. Platt, 17 Id. 195. Carte v. Muscat, 4 Burr. 2162. 3 Kent, 412,414.) But it may be subject to an easement therein, or aright of passage as a public highway by water. In its natural state, the servitude of the public interest depends upon the capacity of the stream to be used for the purpose of trade, commerce, or navi- • gation. Lord Hale mentions barges and lighters, as well as other vessels. (See De Jure Maris, ch. 1, 2, 3.) But other modes of transportation have been recognized in some cases decided in this country ; as the floating of rafts and logs ; and rafting timber and lumber. (Brown v. Chadbourne, 31 Maine Rep. 9. Shaw v. Crawford, 10 John. 236. Browne v. Scofield, 8 Barb. 239. People v. Canal App. 13 Wend. 371. Munson v. Hungerford, 6 Barb. 269.) If the stream have no such capacity, it belongs absolutely to the riparian owner ; and, by well settled principles, the legislature cannot make it a highway by simply declaring it to be one. That would be taking private property for public use ; and the owner is entitled to compensation. (People v. Platt, supra. Const, art. 1, § 7. Bloodgood v. Mohawk and H. R. Co., 18 Wend. 9. 25 Id. 462. 3 Hill, 567. Canal Com'rs v. The People, 5 Wend. 423, per Walworth, chan. and Allen, senator.) And the owner is also entitled to compensation before the legislature can make it public by improving it, if not before subject to public use. But, on the other hand, if it be a public river, the legislature may not only declare it to be so, but may improve it; remove impediments to its navigation and also grant permission to erect dams, booms, &c.; and perhaps obstruct it entirely. 1 am aware that it has been said the crown cannot grant a right to obstruct a public navigable river. ( Williams v. Wilcox, 8 A. & E. 314. 3 Kent, 427.) But parliament can. (Woolr. on Ways, 60. Rex v. Montague, 4 B. & C. 498. And see Abraham v. R. C., 16 Q. B. Rep. 586. Reg. v. Betts, Id. 1022.) And our legislature, when acting within the pale of the constitution, has full power over the matter. And where a river is public, and entirely within the state, the care and control of it, as far as public use is concerned, belongs to the state; especially if it cannot be used for the purposes of commerce with foreign nations, or among the states. (Veazie v. Moor, 14 How. U. S. R. 568, and cases there cited. Moor v. Veazie, 32 Maine R. 343.) This river empties into the St. Lawrence ; but, if navigable and a public river, at least, until congress, if that could be, shall interfere, the legislature can authorize the erection of dams, booms, «See., and prescribe the mode in which those so authorized shall be built .

But the principal question, and the one argued with much Zeal on this motion, is, whether the public have any right of way on this stream. Several cases upen the subject, decided in this state, were cited and commented upon by counsel. (See Munson v. Hungerford, 6 Barb. 265 ; Browne v. Scofield, 8 Id. 239 ; Curtis v. Keesler, 14 Id. 511; Shaw v. Crawford, supra ; Ex parte Jennings, 6 Cowen, 518; Palmer v. Mulligan, 3 Caines, 307 ; People v. Platt, supra. And see Moor v. Veazie, supra.) I think, where the facts are ascertained or admitted, whether a river is public or not, must be necessarily a question of law. But whether any particular obstruction or erection be a nuisance, or a damage to the navigation, seems to be a question for the jury. (Abraham v. Railway Co., supra.) In this case, the statements in the depositions, on some points, are in conflict. From those on the part of the defendants, it would seem that the river from Tupper’s lake to the mills of the defendants, descends about twelve hundred feet; that logs could not be driven to advantage, if at all, before the improvements made under the acts of 1850; and that now they will float but a short time, and only during the spring freshets; and that the water was very shallow at or near the site of the mills of the defendants, when the river was in its natural state. On the other side, it is alleged that, in its natural state, this stream was ample for all the purposes of driving logs from the lakes above, to the mills of the plaintiffs, for about two months in each year. That from the village of Potsdam down to its mouth, it has been long used to transport lumber, timber and provisions, and float logs ; and that timber and lumber were taken from a point above the mills of the defendants to the Montreal and Quebec markets, more than thirty years since. This discrepancy can hardly be reconciled; and probably a jury must ascertain the facts, before the rights of the parties can be settled with certainty. Evidence taken ex parte is seldom satisfactory. In this case, some of the most important statements on the part of the plaintiffs, especially those representing in strong terms the natural capacity of the stream, and the little advantage derived from the appropriations by the state, are verified by one who is interested in the water power at Colton, and is one of the commissioners under the act of last session for improving the river. So, too, on the part of the defendants, the gentleman whose affidavit may be considered the most depreciative of the navigable qualities of the river, and upon whose opinion others, in making depositions, seem to rely, and who is the defendants’ source of title to a portion at least of this property, it appears by his own statement, more than a' year before the act to improve the river, built a boom quite across it, of sufficient strength to prevent the passage of logs; and must have expended a large sum in the erection or purchase of mills below the village of Potsdam. It is also carefully stated, that the present boom was completed before that act was passed. The plaintiffs state the value of their mills, dam, boom, <fcc., to be over $30,000; and those of the defendants, the latter estimate much higher; and yet both depend upon the Raquette river for supplies of material to manufacture. The plaintiffs have also mills and dams above the mills of the defendants; and if there is no right of passage, the logs of the defendants may be stopped, 'and thereby their large purchases above, and probably all their mill property, rendered comparatively valueless. The truth undoubtedly is, that the Northern Railroad, which was completed some three or four years since, has opened an outlet for a portion of the immense and rich forest productions, spread over that vast plateau of head-waters found in Northern New-York. And Raquette river, one of those valuable streams for which the southern slope of the valley of the St. Lawrence river is so remarkable, and through which several navigable lakes, some of them in the very heart of a great wilderness, discharge their waters, suddenly has become of great importance, as a channel for those productions. Under such circumstances, very little argument can be drawn from its nonuser heretofore.

But, notwithstanding upon this question of the right to float logs, may depend the value of lands, timber and lumber, to a vast amount, still, if the river is exclusively private property, no matter how pressing the public necessity, the owner is not obliged to yield one jot or tittle, except by direction of- the sovereign power; and then not without compensation.

In Brown v. Scofield it was suggested that the common law of England was not adapted to the subject of inland navigation in this country; and so, as to large rivers, it has been decided by the courts in Pennsylvania. So far, it seems, the principles of the civil law prevail in that state. No doubt the genius of our institutions, the nature and condition of the country, and the pursuits of the people, make some portions of the common law, and to a certain extent, necessarily inapplicable here. But, except as to our internal polity, and alterations made by the constitution and by positive enactments, there is not much diversity; and certainly not in this state; and, as the courts are to expound, and not make the law, especially on all questions affecting real estate, stare decisis is the safe rule. The treatise of Lord Hale has received high commendation in this country; and in this state, that portion of it relating to this subject has been sanctioned by our courts ; and its doctrines, I think, may be applied to this case, and justice be done to all parties. If the Baquette river is a public highway, all impediments to its use, dams, piers, booms, &c., unauthorized by the legislature, are nuisances. (Palmer v. Mulligan, supra. De Jure Maris, ch. 3.) But, if it can be used only for certain purposes, the riparian owner is only bound not to obstruct it in that respect. If it can be, and is, a highway only for the passage of single logs, he may use the river and its banks for every purpose not inconsistent with that public use.

But it is said, a capacity to float single logs at random, and that only during freshets, does not make it public. Upon this point there would seem to be a contrariety of opinion; and I have had some doubts. But I am inclined to think it is not necessary that the subject of transportation should be constantly under the immediate and manual guidance or control of some person; nor that the stream should be adapted to the transportation of all kinds of property, or of passengers; nor that its navigation should be unbroken by portage. If so, the Hudson river above Waterford is not a highway for any purpose. Nor is it conclusive that it becomes too dry and shallow at times, periodically or otherwise. (Shaw v. Crawford, supra. Brown v. Chadbourne, supra. Mayor of Colchester v. Brooke, 7 Q. B. Rep. 339, 374.) There are remarkable instances of this, both in the old world and the new; and it is more or less characteristic of all rivers. The rise and fall in the Ohio, for example, is very great; and yet, at common law, it would be considered subject to the public servitude. The capacity of a stream, which generally appears by the nature, amount, importance and necessity of the business that can be done upon it, I think, must be the criterion. A.brook, although it might carry down saw-logs for a few days, during a freshet, is not therefore a public highway. But, a stream upon which, and its tributaries, saw-logs to an unlimited amount can be floated every spring ; and for the period of from four to eight weeks, and for the distance of one hundred and -fifty miles, and upon which, unquestionably, many thousands will be annually transported for many years to come, (if it be legal to do so,) has the character of a public stream for that purpose. So far the purpose is useful for trade and commerce, and to the interests of the community. The floating of logs is not mentioned by Lord Hale ; and probably no river in Great Britain was, in his day, or ever will be, put to that use. But here, such is common, necessary and profitable, especially while the country is new; and if it be considered a lawful mode of using the river, it is easy to adapt well settled principles of law to the case. And they are not less applicable because this particular business may not always continue ; though if it can of necessity last but a short time, and the river can be used for no other purpose, that circumstance would have weight in the consideration of the question.

Thus far the question has been considered upon the principles of the common law; but in this case the legislature has also declared this river to be a highway for the purpose of floating logs and lumber. (Laws of 1850, ch. 264.) Although that alone would not be sufficient, if it be wholly private, still it is evidence that it is not so, which should not be lightly disregarded.

If then, the public have the right to use the stream to that extent, the remaining question is, how that right is to be exercised 1 It by no means follows that its waters may not be appropriated for any other purpose. If so, dams, booms, mills, and even bridges may all be nuisances : the right to float logs being paramount to every other right, all obstructions thereto are unlawful. But, (without reference to the statute,) the right must be exercised with regard to the just claims of others. Thus, it would not be justifiable to drive down immense quantities of logs at one time, if the property of riparian owners, rightfully there, would by endangered thereby. Regard must be had to the fact that the floating masses are not under the immediate control of human agency. The right must be exercised sub mocb. So, too, the privileges of others engaged in similar enterprises must be respected. If each proprietor may not stop his own logs, unless he can do so without stopping those of others, he only who is lowest on the stream will derive any benefit from this mode of transportingproperty; unless (which I suppose to be impossible) the logs can be separated when in motion. If the ¡statute prescribes no different rule, it follows that each owner may use dams, booms and other reasonable means to stop his own logs ; and if, in so doing, he necessarily stop those of others, he will be justified, if he release them with all reasonable diligence. From the nature of the business, and the necessity of the case, there must be some inconvenience, and mutual sacrifices.

But it is said the plaintiffs should have reconstructed the boom of the defendants in such manner as to allow logs and lumber to pass, pursuant to the provisions of the act of 1850, (ch. 264,) as amended in 1851, (ch. 303.) We are not informed how this could have been done. On the contrary, it is said the logs of the defendants could not have been secured if, at the time, their boom had been opened to let other logs pass. And, besides, it could hardly have been intended that the owner of a quantity of logs should not be allowed to float them down, until he had been to the expense of putting on aprons to all dams existing at the time the act was passed, and of reconstructing all the booms in the river. Private ways are now authorized. (Const. art. 1, § 7.) But this river is in no -sense a private way, and beyond that, there is no power to take, or that can give authority to take, private property for private purposes, with or without compensation. But if this provision be considered feasible and legal, Still I think it a mere license, and not compulsory. And as to booms, I think section third of the act of 1850, requiring an open passage of thirty feet, extends to all booms in the river, whenever constructed; but that does not deprive the owners of the right to secure their own logs; and they may close them at all times when required for that purpose. But in taking care of their own property, they must do no more damage to others than is absolutely necessary; and they are therefore hound to release the logs of others, which may have been so detained, as soon as reasonably can be done under the circumstances.

[At Chambers, August 8, 1854.

It follows, that the defendants were justified in doing, on their own premises, what was indispensable for the preservation of their property; and if the passage of the logs of the plaintiffs was thereby of necessity obstructed, the latter cannot complain. But the defendants should not detain them longer than absolutely necessary; much less should they prevent the plaintiffs* removing their own logs in a reasonable manner.

The injunction must he modified upon these principles.

Ordered accordingly.

Hand, Justice.]