LEGAL DOCUMENT

Case: The Point Street Iron Works vs. Mary A. Turner et al.
Citation: 14 R.I. 122
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1883-02-15
Docket Number: 
Pages: 122–123
Volume: 14
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports

Parties: The Point Street Iron Works vs. Mary A. Turner et al.

The Point Street Iron Works vs. Mary A. Turner et al.
In covenant brought against the grantor of a deed containing full covenants of warranty by the grantee, who had been evicted by the holder of a paramount title, the parties having .agreed on the value of the land in question, the eviction having occurred within the period of limitation for action of trespass, which was four years, and no action for mesne profits having been brought:
Held, that the plaintiff grantee was entitled to interest on the agreed value for four years prior to the entry of his judgment.
The grantor had been notified to defend the ejectment suit, but neither defended nor notified the grantee that he preferred to make no defence.
Held, that the grantee should recover his reasonable expenses and counsel fees paid in defending the title.
Covenant. Heard by the court on an agreed statement of facts.
This was an action brought by the grantees of a deed containing full covenants of warranty against the heir at law, devisee, and executor of the grantor. The grantees, after entry under the deed, were evicted by the holder of a paramount title from a portion of the premises conveyed to them: and covered by the covenants.
John JD. Thurston, for plaintiff.
Levi Salisbury Charles M. Salisbury, for defendant.
February 15, 1883.

Pee, Ctjbiam.
Tbe parties agree that tbe damages shall be computed by taking $5,718 as tbe value of tbe land from wbicb tbe plaintiff was evicted. On that amount we tbink tbe plaintiff is entitled to interest from tbe date of tbe eviction, and for tbe length of time prior to that date during which he is liable to account for mesne profits. Foster v. Thompson, 41 N. H. 373; Cox’s Administrators v. Henry, 32 Pa. St. 18; Flint v. Steadman, 36 Vt. 210. Tbe limitation of tbe action of trespass is four years. If, therefore, as we understand, no action for mesne profits has been commenced, the computation of interest will begin at a day four years prior to tbe entry of tbe judgment herein.
As to tbe question of costs incurred in defending the ejectment: tbe parties are agreed that tbe defendants are liable for the proportional part of the costs found by comparing the whole amount of tbe land recovered in that suit, with tbe portion thereof wbicb was conveyed by tbe deed declared on in this suit. Tbe only question remaining is whether expenses and counsel fees paid by tbe plaintiff in defending tbe former suit shall be allowed as part of tbe costs. On this question there is conflict between cases of good authority. Pawle on Covenants for Title, cap. ix. pp. 308 et sq.; Sedgwick Leading Cases, 10; Sedgwick on Damages, 174. We think tbe better rule to be that where, as in this case, tbe person bound by tbe covenant has been notified to come in and has neglected to do so, and has not notified tbe defendant in ejectment that be prefers to make no defence, be should be liable for such reasonable expenses and counsel fees as have been incurred in defending the title. In this case we do not tbink tbe amounts charged by tbe plaintiff are unreasonable.