Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/229/561/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 06:12:28+00:00

Document:
Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 229 › Campbell v. Northwest Eckington Improvement Co.
A deed for an undivided interest in unimproved real estate heavily encumbered given to a third party in pursuance of prior agreements to undertake to aid in the financial and practical development of the property held to have been given for the undertaking, and not for the performance, and to have presently vested the grantee with the interest conveyed absolutely as stated on its face, and not by way of security only.
The burden is on the complainant seeking to give a different effect to a deed than that of its face, and where the bill does not waive an answer under oath, and defendant does answer under oath, weight must be given to the answer. Vigil v. Hopp, 104 U. S. 441.
To justify the setting aside of a solemn instrument of conveyance deliberately made by parties sui juris and giving it an effect different from its plain purport, the evidence should be clear, unequivocal and convincing. Maxwell Land Grant Case, 121 U. S. 325, 121 U. S. 381.
An agreement to give skill and experience as a builder and contractor does not necessarily imply that he is to personally act as superintendent of construction, nor, under the circumstances of this case, should his accounts be surcharged with the amounts paid for wages to a superintendent employed by him.
One who, under an agreement, is to be reimbursed for his outlay should keep proper account of his receipts and disbursements and preserve the vouchers therefor.
The facts, which involve the construction of contracts relating to, and rights of co-adventurers in, a real estate enterprise in the District of Columbia, are stated in the opinion.
This appeal brings under review a decree of the Court of Appeals affirming a decree of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia that declared a deed of conveyance, absolute on its face, made by the Northwest Eckington Improvement Company to Charles M. Campbell to have been intended only to secure to Campbell his share of the profits of an enterprise previously undertaken by the parties to the action for the development of the lands described in the deed. The decree also cancelled the contracts between the parties respecting the enterprise, settled an account between them, decreed that Campbell should pay a certain sum found due from him on balance, required him to reconvey the land, and granted incidental relief. The decree thus affirmed was rendered pursuant to the mandate of the Court of Appeals upon the reversal of a former decree which was in Campbell's favor. The successive decisions, so far as reported, are to be found in 28 App.D.C. 483; 36 App.D.C. 149.
The present appellant assails the decree in respect of its main features, and also in respect of the principle adopted in the accounting. A somewhat particular recital of the facts in evidence, with the grounds of decision in the courts below, seems to be called for.
"Washington, D.C. March 13, 1902"
possessed of an undivided one-third interest in the property. In case less than the whole tract is sold, then said Campbell is to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in the amount sold."
"Northwest Eckington Improvement Co. [Seal.]"
"S.C. Redman, Prest. T.C. Daniel, Sec."
Pursuant to this agreement, Campbell caused a corporation to be formed, with the title of "Washington Sanitary Dwellings Company," and endeavored to sell enough of its stock to provide for taking over the property and constructing sanitary dwellings thereon for workingmen and their families.
"Washington, D.C., June 19th, 1902"
in the minutes of the Sanitary Dwellings Company, which are accepted. Any monies advanced by said Campbell in handling the property in question shall be returned returned to him out of first sales."
"And all rights of said Campbell under said agreement of March 13, 1902, shall remain unimpaired."
"_____ _____, President. T.C. Daniel, Sec'r"
According to Campbell's testimony, undisputed so far as we have observed, the clause italicized was inserted by Daniel in his own handwriting in order to emphasize the assurance that Campbell was to have rights prior to the others to the extent of reimbursement of his advances. The paper was not signed by Redman, nor formally by the company -- a matter that is of no present consequence in view of its subsequent recognition.
"Mr. Campbell worked on the sale of stock in the company, employed others to assist him in placing the stock, but after finding that he could not make it a success, he admitted the same to me, and asked whether something could not be done to save the $1,000 that he had spent in that effort; we then agreed to abandon the Sanitary Dwellings enterprise."
between T.C. Daniel and S.C. Redman and the Northwest Eckington Improvement Co., a corporation, and C. M. Campbell, stipulating for the services of said Campbell, it is further agreed, while preserving to said Campbell any rights he may have under said contract, as follows:"
"1. In consideration of the services of said Campbell has already performed, and for the purpose of securing his further services and cooperation in the handling and improvement of said property, it is agreed to make certain extension of the provisions of said contract."
"2. It is now decided to release the Sanitary Dwellings Company, if necessary, from any obligations it may have assumed in in regard to any agreement to purchase said property."
"3. The said Daniel, Redman, and the Northwest Eckington Improvement Company have decided to improve and market said property, as fast as may be possible, by building houses thereon."
"4. To this end, they desire to utilize the skill of said Campbell as a builder and his assistance financially."
"5. It is agreed by said Daniel, Redman, and the Northwest Eckington Improvement Company to employ said Campbell as a skillful builder in the erection of said houses, he to take charge of said work, with such assistance as the other parties to this contract may be able to furnish, and pursue such work industriously and with all the ability and skill he can bring to the work."
relation to said property already entered into between the parties hereto. And any sums advanced or to be advanced by any of said parties for the same purpose under said agreements is likewise to be accounted for."
"7. It is proposed to erect at once five houses on said property, and follow them with others as soon as such a course is warranted by the results and approved by the judgment of the parties to this agreement, said Campbell to industriously push said improvements with his best skill and ability, as provided in paragraph 5 herein, without any further compensation for his services than are provided for herein."
"8. In return for said undertaking on said Campbell's part, he is to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in said property."
"Witness our hands and seals this 23rd day of October, 1902."
"By Samuel C. Redman, Pres."
erect five substantial brick dwellings, to cost not less than $3,000 each, and pay off the taxes on the entire property, and they (including Campbell, who was not until then personally responsible to Mrs. Franz) guaranteed the payment of the balance remaining due upon the promissory notes when and as they should respectively become due, but it was agreed that, upon the making of the part payment provided for, the time for payment of the balance was to be extended for two years.
Pursuant to this, the plot upon which the five houses were to be built was released by Mrs. Franz from the deed of trust, and conveyed by the Eckington Company to Daniel, Redman, and Campbell as individuals, and they placed upon it a new mortgage for the amount of $12,500, paying a part of this money to Mrs. Franz as consideration for her release, and placing the residue of the loan at the disposal of Campbell, to be used in the construction of the houses.
undivided one-third interest to said Charles M. Campbell in fee simple."
"He [Campbell] said that Mr. Ridout had drawn that contract up for him, and he did not see any reason why we should not sign. I read it over pretty carefully, and when I saw that it was a deed for a one-third undivided interest, I knew or thought that it tied Mr. Campbell to the proposition so that he could not get any way of deeding that third interest away until he had earned it by the carrying out of his contract, and, thinking it over, it seemed to me that it would be a rather reasonable request, if he was going to put in a great deal of money to build up that entire property, and I thought he should have insisted upon some security on the record; I think I would have insisted upon something like that myself, and it was a business proposition, and I submitted it to Mr. Redman and told him I did not think there was anything wrong about it -- (interrupted) -- I told Mr. Campbell after thinking it over, I would be perfectly willing to execute that as security to him, to protect him. . . . At that time, I believed that he was going to carry out the contract, and it would be all satisfactory."
The deed was actually executed and delivered on January 16, 1903, and thereby the Northwest Eckington Improvement Company, for "divers valuable considerations, and the sum of $10," conveyed to Campbell, his heirs and assigns, an undivided one-third interest in the property in question, excepting the portions theretofore conveyed. It contained a special warranty excepting recorded encumbrances.
a third party to await the settlement of the controversy, and the balance was divided, one third to Campbell and the remainder to the Eckington Company.
The controversy continued, however, with increasing acrimony, until February 8, 1904, when the appellees filed in the Supreme Court of the District their present bill in equity against Campbell, setting up the history of the above transactions from their standpoint, and asserting that the deed of January 16, 1903, was given not as an absolute conveyance, but by way of security. The bill further alleged that he had failed to perform his obligations under the contract of October 23, 1902, had involved the complainants in debt, refused to inform them as to the cost of buildings, or in any satisfactory manner to account for the large sums of money placed at his disposal for the building operations, and threatened to embarrass complainants in making any disposition whatever of the property, etc. The prayer was that Campbell be required to account; that all contracts between the parties be cancelled, and that he be required to reconvey to the Improvement Company the undivided third interest conveyed to him by that company.
Campbell answered under oath, denying that the conveyance was intended as security and averring that the complainants had recognized his right to such a conveyance, and that it was made to convey absolute title to him in consideration of his undertakings, set out in the agreement of October 23, 1902, and the other agreements between the parties.
it was sought to so develop as to make it a success, instead of the failure which it had theretofore been, as also to contribute their general business ability. In such an arrangement, it certainly was not unreasonable to give Campbell a status as the owner of an undivided interest in the enterprise. On the contrary, it would have been rather unusual and unreasonable to treat him in any other manner, because he was, by virtue of the contract, made a sharer in the failure as well as in the success of the enterprise. He stood to lose as well as to gain, and, in the event of loss, nothing whatever could be reaped by him for his contribution of skill and money."
"But, even if the circumstances in the case could be construed as in some manner tending to support the position of the complainants, certainly it could not be said that they are of a strength equal to the testimony of a witness, which would be required in order to establish the complainants' position, they not having waived by their bill answer under oath, and the defendant having answered under oath. Vigel v. Hopp, 104 U. S. 441."
The court therefore held that the prayers of the bill asking that the deed to Campbell be declared to be a security merely, and that the contracts be cancelled, should be denied, and that the cause should be referred to the auditor for a full accounting respecting the affairs of the joint enterprise, including that portion relating to the Sanitary Dwellings Company. A decree was entered accordingly, bearing date January 4, 1906.
enter a decree declaring the true intent and purpose of the deed of January 16, 1903, to be as indicated in the opinion of the Court of Appeals.
possessed of an undivided one-third interest in said property.' Clearly this did not contemplate that Campbell should at once become the absolute owner of this one-third of the land. It was necessarily conditioned upon the terms of his undertaking, before recited in the contract. He had no immediate right to demand a conveyance thereunder, and none when the deed was actually executed and delivered to him on January 16, 1903. Complainants contended that this deed was made at Campbell's request, to secure him in his rights under the contract."
"When the deed was executed on January 16, 1903, it is not pretended that there was any new consideration for its execution. It was founded wholly upon the provisions of the contract of October 23, 1902, no matter what may have been the private opinion of the respective parties as to Campbell's rights thereunder, and its meaning, purpose, and effect are determined thereby."
"The difficulty attending the correction of a deed or instrument carrying into effect a previous parol agreement is obviated when it appears to have been prepared and executed in pursuance of a written agreement. When it appears that the instrument intended to give effect to a written agreement is inconsistent with its terms, there is a manifest equity to correct the error. Adams, Eq. 169; Elliott v. Sackett, 108 U. S. 132, 108 U. S. 141."
"As before stated, there is nothing which tends to show that Campbell was to become the absolute owner of one third of the complainants' land without regard to the performance of the joint undertaking contemplated in the contract of October 23, 1902. It is true that contract is inartificial and somewhat vague, but no such meaning can be imputed to it."
"In the light of the circumstances pointed out, we can come to no other conclusion than that complainants' statement of the purposes of this deed is the correct one.
They represent it as given to secure Campbell in their performance of the contract. It was not a security, or an additional security, in the ordinary sense, but it did make Campbell secure, in the case of his endeavor to carry out that contract, by giving him at once the conveyance that he might thereafter become entitled to, and enabling him, by its registration, to give notice of his rights under the contract, to all persons who might thereafter acquire any interest from the complainants."
"The decree, insofar as this conveyance is concerned, is interlocutory in its nature, and for the guidance of the auditor in stating the account between the parties, and, instead of virtually establishing it as an absolute deed, should have declared it to be merely a conditional one, dependent upon the performance of the agreement in accordance with which it was made. The question whether it shall be cancelled is a final one that can only be properly determined upon the coming in of the auditor's report with the account that has been ordered to be taken by him."
Upon the going down of the mandate, the Supreme Court entered an interlocutory decree in accordance with it, and thereafter the hearing before the auditor proceeded; but the accounting was made, or at least attempted to be made, not upon the original theory of a joint ownership in the property, but upon a theory of the rights of the parties under the agreement of October 23, 1902, that resulted from the decision of the Court of Appeals.
the questions for disposition on the final hearing, and meanwhile ordering the auditor to restate the account, which was done, and to this second report both parties took exceptions.
The case then came on for final hearing before the Supreme Court upon the whole record, including the pleadings, the evidence, and the exceptions. Respecting the disputed matters in the accounting, we need say no more than that the court sustained Campbell's right to credit for the $500 paid by him to Mrs. Franz in June, 1902, and $122.91 paid about the same time for taxes, but overruled his claim for an allowance of the $481.81 paid on account of the Sanitary Dwellings Company, upon the ground that this expenditure was made for his own account and at his own risk, and had not benefited the common enterprise.
(5) That, if the defendant had become bound to pay any portion of the encumbrance on the unimproved land held by Mrs. Franz, the complainants should either obtain his release therefrom or indemnify him against the same.
"being the balance due by him on his one third of the excess cost of building said houses and obtaining a release of the said ten lots from a mortgage or deed of trust thereon known as the Franz mortgage or deed of trust, over and above the money obtained for this purpose by loans secured by Daniel, Redman, and Campbell."
Perhaps it was intended to charge Campbell's interest in the ten houses, in favor of his cotenants, with a sum found to be due upon the theory of accounting that resulted from the decision of the Court of Appeals.
The defendant Campbell appealed to the Court of Appeals, where the decree was affirmed, the court adhering (36 App.D.C. 149) to its former view. As to the item of $481.81, the court expressed concurrence with the view of the Supreme Court, saying: "This item benefited the complainants in no way, and we do not think its repayment was contemplated by the October contract."
"From a careful examination of the entire record, we are forced to the conclusion that the decree was right. It is difficult to perceive wherein the defendant had been injured. He was to receive a one-third interest in certain property upon the theory of services performed in the improvement and sale of that property. To the extent that he has performed the obligation imposed upon him by the contract, his interests have been fully protected by the decree; more, he has no right to expect, and more a court of equity certainly ought not to award him."
surrounding the transaction, and because of the construction that the learned court placed upon the contract of October 23, 1902.
We agree that the legal effect of this contract was to make the complainants in effect partners with Campbell in the development of the land by building houses, they furnishing the land, and he undertaking the erection of the houses. But it seems to us that the agreement recognized that the joint enterprise had commenced in March and had continued ever since, and that Campbell was not only entitled to consideration for the services he had "already performed" -- that is, for what he had done under the March agreement -- but was entitled to reimbursement for whatever money he had advanced, with interest on those moneys.
"That if he [Campbell] will organize or be instrumental in organizing a company, even with the assistance of T.C. Daniel or others. for the purchase of said ground, and give the necessary time and attention to that end, they agree, in case his plans work out so that they accept the consideration said company offers for said ground, to give him a third of the amount they receive, whether of money, stock, or property, and that in the event of such sale or disposition of said property he is to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in the property. In case less than the whole tract is sold, then said Campbell is to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in the amount sold."
in the property. Neither did it mean that in case less than the whole tract should be sold he was to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in the land sold. What it meant was that he should have, directly or indirectly, one-third interest in the proceeds of the property. In short, he was to be a "partner" in the enterprise.
The court seems to have considered that this agreement virtually expired with the failure of the scheme for financing the Sanitary Dwellings Company. We do not so regard it. The conduct of the parties from March until October, the wording of the memorandum of June 19th, the negotiations leading up to the abandonment of the Sanitary Dwellings Company scheme, and the making of the October agreement instead -- one of the inducements to which, according to complainants' uncontradicted evidence, was to enable Campbell to recoup the money he had expended on the Sanitary Dwellings Company -- and finally the language of the October agreement, all go to show that the main purpose, and the association of the parties to accomplish it, were never abandoned.
extension of the provisions of said contract."
"in doing this, account is to be taken of all moneys and interest he has already advanced under contracts in relation to said property, already entered into between the parties hereto. And any sums advanced or to be advanced by any of said parties for the same purpose under said agreements is likewise to be accounted for."
"It is proposed to erect at once five houses on said property and follow them with others as soon as such a course is warranted by the results and approved by the judgment of the parties to this agreement, said Campbell to industriously push said improvements, etc., without further compensation for his services than are provided for herein."
"In return for said undertaking on said Campbell's part, he is to become possessed of an undivided one-third interest in said property."
The agreement reads plainly that Campbell was to have this interest in the property, not for performance, but for his undertaking. In short, as we think, he was to be presently vested with a one-third interest in the equity of the property, and to be thereby put upon an equal footing with Daniel and Redman, who, through their stock interest in the Eckington Company, would be entitled to a two-third's interest.
able and willing to advance cash for the development of the enterprise -- altogether precarious. It was in contemplation that the expenditures made by him should be made for the common benefit, and that the property would be enhanced in value if the enterprise proved successful. And it seems most improbable that he should be willing to devote his time and experience and also pledge his credit to the extent necessary to pay off the existing loan of $32,000, and whatever more was needed to put up the houses, and await a successful outcome before being assured of his reward.
Besides, the undertaking would not be fully completed until the property had been marketed -- that is, had passed into the hands of third parties. How could be then "become possessed" of an undivided one-third interest in it?
It is not strange that Campbell very shortly found that his position was insecure without a deed that should vest in him the legal title to the undivided one-third. Shortly after the execution of the agreement of October 23d, he began to insist that his rights under it should be secured to him. The proposed agreement of December 10, 1902, was submitted and rejected. Afterwards, and in response to his insistent demands, the deed in question was made and delivered to him in January. For a sufficient consideration, it is not necessary to look beyond the situation evidenced by the agreement of October 23d, for it seems to us that the act of the parties in making the deed is clearly in accord with the view we take of that contract, and amounted to a practical interpretation of it, the purpose in making the deed being to simply put into legal form what equity would perhaps have required to be done for carrying that contract into effect.
and relied upon in Vigel v. Hopp, 104 U. S. 441, and in numerous other cases -- Union R. Co. v. Dull, 124 U. S. 173, 124 U. S. 175; Southern Development Co. v. Silva, 125 U. S. 247, 125 U. S. 249; Beals v. Illinois &c. R. Co., 133 U. S. 290, 133 U. S. 295; Monroe Cattle Co. v. Becker, 147 U. S. 47, 147 U. S. 54 -- this case is a proper one for the application of the well known principle that to justify the setting aside of a solemn instrument of conveyance, deliberately made by parties sui juris, and the giving to it of an effect different from its plain purport, the evidence should be clear, unequivocal, and convincing. Maxwell Land Grant Case, 121 U. S. 325, 121 U. S. 381. The evidence of the complainants does not, we think, measure up to the standard.
The result of these views is that the decree, insofar as it sets aside the deed of January 16, 1903, as being merely conditional and dependent upon performance by Campbell of the agreement of October 23, 1902, should be reversed, because the deed must be held to be what it purports to be, absolute conveyance.
For the same reasons the decree, so far as it cancels the contracts of March 13, 1902, and of October 23, 1902, should be reversed.
March 13, 1902, his right thereto being preserved by the contract of October 23d as moneys "advanced under contracts in relation to said property already entered into between the parties hereto," and, under the same clause, he is entitled to interest upon his advances.
We need not pass upon other questions raised respecting the accounting except to say that we, of course, do not agree with the view expressed by the Court of Appeals respecting the conduct of Campbell subsequent to the making of the deed. The court deemed that, in employing a superintendent of construction, he violated the letter or spirit of the contract of October 23d. That agreement contemplated that his skill as a builder, and his assistance generally, should be utilized, and he was to take charge of the work, with such assistance as the other parties might be able to furnish. It does not necessarily follow that he was personally to fill the place of superintendent of construction. It is, of course, true that Campbell ought to have kept a proper account of his receipts and disbursements, and, so far as he failed to do this or to preserve proper vouchers, the matter may be dealt with on the accounting according to the usual principles.
The decree of the Court of Appeals reversed, with costs in this Court and costs of both appeals in the Court of Appeals, and the cause remanded with directions to reinstate and affirm the decree of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, bearing date January 4, 1906, and to reverse and set aside all subsequent decrees so far as inconsistent therewith, and remand the cause to said Supreme Court with directions to proceed to an accounting between the parties, or a revision of the accounting already had in that court, and further proceedings thereon as equity may require, in accordance with the views above expressed.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.