Case ID: how-pr_4/html/0215-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Bronson, Ch. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

COURT OF APPEALS.
    Henry D. Cruger, Respondent, vs. Douglass and others, Appellants.
    A decree which, directs a reference, for the purpose of taking and stating an account between the parties and for other purposes, and reserves further directions until the coming in and confirmation of the report; and then, “ that such further order or decree may be made thereon as shall be just,” is not a final decree, that can be appealed from to this court, although It may be final in many particulars. (See Harris v. Qlairk, ante, p. 78, where the samo point was decided.)
    
      January 23, 1850.
    H. D. Cruger, in person, movedlo dismiss the appeal, on the ground that the decree appealed from was not final. The suit was pending in the Court of Chancery before either of the codes were passed, and the decree or order appealed from was made by the Supreme Court in November, 1848. The other facts are sufficiently stated in the opinion of the court. (He cited Harris v. Clark, 4 Howard’s P. R. 78.)
    C. O’Connor, for appellants,
    cited 9 Paige, 638; 6 Howard, 203.
   Bronson, Ch. J.

The decree appealed from settles all the leading points in controversy between the parties, but it directs a reference for the purpose of ascertaining what real and personal estate falls within the operation of the decree; and directs the referee to take and state an account between the parties. On the coming in and confirmation of the report, the amount found due to either party is to be paid by the other, “ at such time or times as shall be specified in said reportand the sum of five thousand dollars is to be forthwith paid to the respondent, on account of the moneys which may be payable to him under the order or decree. The referee is to make his report with all convenient speed, “to the end that on the coming in and confirmation of his report, such further order and decree may be made thereon as shall be just.” It is also ordered, that neither party shall have costs as against the other ; “ and that all further directions be reserved until the coming in of the said referee’s report.” Although the decree is final as to several particulars, it evidently is not so as to all. “Further directions” are reserved until the coming in of the report; and then “such further order and decree may be made thereon as shall be just.” It will be necessary to set the cause down for a further decree on the coming in of the report. The decree already made is not final; and the appeal was premature. The point was decided in Harris v. Clark, at the last July term. Motion granted.