Case Name: Catharine E. Scott, v. Joseph Billgerry
Court: High Court of Errors and Appeals of Mississippi
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1866-04
Citations: 40 Miss. 119
Docket Number: 
Parties: Catharine E. Scott, v. Joseph Billgerry.
Judges: 
Reporter: Mississippi Reports
Volume: 40
Pages: 119–158

Head Matter:
APRIL TERM, 1866.
Catharine E. Scott, v. Joseph Billgerry.
1. Conquered territory : power op president to create governments por.— The President, of the United States has the power to create a government for conquered territory, and he may delegate the power to another. The power must be exercised according to the controlling provisions of the Constitution of the United States. Handy, C. X, dissented, as to the restriction upon the exercise of the power.
2. Special court op equity: upon the theory, that the state op Mississippi was conquered territory, the provisional governor had power to create. — The State of Mississippi, after the close of the war between the United States and Confederate States, being held, according to the theory of the Federal Government, as conquered territory, and the State government being abolished by force of arms, the President of the United States, upon the assumption that the State was conquered territory, had the power to appoint a provisional government therefor, and the government so created had the authority to establish tribunals for the administration of the laws, subject to the restrictions and general principles of the Constitution of the United States. Handy, 0. X, dissented, as to the restrictions upon the exercise of the power.
3. Special court op equity : source op jurisdiction, and extent op, ho.w determined. — The Special Court of Equity derives its jurisdiction from the proclamation of the provisional governor creating the court, and the extent of its jurisdiction is to be determined by a fair and reasonable interpretation of its language.
4. Special court op equity : jurisdiction of. — The Special Court of Equity has the jurisdiction properly belonging to a court of equity for the specific performance and recision of contracts respecting cotton and other personal property, and in the discharge of its functions, it is to be regulated by the rules and powers, that legitimately belong to courts of equity, as recognized in the jurisprudence of this country. Handy, C, X, dissenting, held. — That the court had jurisdiction to decree specific performance and recision of all contracts respecting cotton and other personal property.
5. Courts op equity : jurisdiction to decree specific performance of CONTRACTS RESPECTING PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND COMPENSATION IN DAMAGES. —Courts of Equity will not interfere to decree specific performance of agreements respecting personal property, unless, under the particular circumstances of the case, the remedy at law is not full and complete; nor will they entertain jurisdiction to give redress by way of compensation in damages, only where the relief is ancillary to other relief sought and granted by the Court, or where there is no adequate remedy at law, or where some peculiar equity intervenes.
6. Special court op equity: jurisdiction op: case in judgment. — Appellee, in the Special Court of Equity, at Jackson, filed his petition, alleging, that appellant sold him seventy-live bales of cotton for $3,900. That the money was paid at the time, and the cotton was to be delivered at Rodney. That appellant refused to deliver said cotton, and prays lor a specific performance of the contract. Held — That the case as presented by the petition was not such an one as courts of equity would enforce by a decree of specific performance, and that the Special Court of Equity had no jurisdiction. Handy, C. J., dissenting.
1. Trial by jury: constitutional provision in reference to: right op, INVIOLATE, AS TO ALL MATTERS COGNIZABLE IN COURTS OP LAW. — The Seventh amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which provides, “that in all cases at common law, where the amount in controversy exceeds $20, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,” refers to that class of right properly cognizable in a court of law, as distinguished from a court of equity, and in all matters, over which courts of law have properly exclusive jurisdiction, the right of trial by a jury cannot be impaired by legislative or executive enactment. Handy, 0. j., dissenting, held — That this provision of the constitution had no application to courts of equity; that it does not inhibit the enlargement of the powers of courts of equity, by competent legislative authority, so as to embrace matters which were formerly cognizable in courts of law, aud that it had no application to the state of things existing in Mississippi when the Special Court of Equity was established, aud only to the courts of the Federal Government.
8. Contract: breach op, wiien caused by tiie act op the-other contracting party. — A party to an agreement, who, by his own act, has deprived- the other contracting party of the means of complying with the stipulations of the agreement, cannot complain of such non-compliance.
Appeal from Special Court of Equity at Jackson. Hon. Geo. T. Swann, judge.
Tbe facts of tbe case will be found in tbe opinion of Mr. Justice Ellett.
Fulton Anderson and E. H. 1Holes, for appellant.
Tbe brief of counsel as to tbe jurisdiction of tbe Special Court of Equity, is not on file.
T. A. Marshall and W. Yerger, for appellee.

Opinion:
Ellett J.
delivered tbe opinion of tbe court.
On tbe 24tb of July, 1865, tbe appellee filed bis petition, in wbicb be alleged that on tbe 3d day of October, 1863, tbe appellant, by ber agent, A. W. Killingswortli, sold to petitioner, for the sum of $3,900, then paid, seventy-five bales of cotton, averaging four hundred pounds per bale, which cotton was to be delivered, when required, in good order, at Rodney. That the contract for the sale of said cotton was reduced to writing and signed by defendant, by her agent aforesaid. That defendant, although often required, refuses to deliver said cotton; and prays that defendant may be decreed specifically to perform said contract, and for general relief.
The answer, filed August 16, 1865, admits that the defendant did, about September or October, 1863, by her agent, Killingsworth, sell aud deliver to said petitioner seventy-five bales of cotton, then under a shed about two hundred yards from her house, at the price of thirteen cents per pound, in Confederate money, there being at the time ninety-one bales under said shed. That he represented himself as a French subject, and was not afraid of the United States or Confederate States burning his cotton; he would make them responsible, if they did. He brought and put a French flag over his cotton, and it remained there until the cotton was burned by order of Gen. "Wirt Adams, in December, 1863. Defendant was ordered by Lieut. Robert Tucker, of Adams' cavalry regiment, to roll Billgerry's cotton from under the shed, in order that it might be burned. That her agent ICillingsworth came, took the hauds, and rolled out seventy-five bales, which were then burned by order of Gen. Adams, as Billgerry's cotton. That Lieut. Tucker gave her a certificate of the burning. That there were sixteen bales left under the shed; that she was ordered by Tucker to roll out plaintiff's seventy-five bales, or he would burn the whole. That in March or February, 1864, petitioner came to her house, and demanded his cotton. He had a military force with him known as the Marine Brigade. She told him the cotton had been burned, and offered to show, him the certificate. He pressed two of her wagons and teams, and, with said military, took and carried away the sixteen bales left under the shed, and also twenty-three bales from the gin, which he had never before seen. These thirty-nine bales were taken by him to Rodney and shipped to Natchez, where she followed it and bad it seized; but it was given up to petitioner, and sbe never received a cent for it. Tbat there was a written contract of sale, wbicb provided tbat, if petitioner's cotton was burned by military force of either side, it should be petitioner's loss, wbicb specification was on the back of the bill of sale.
A copy of Lieut. Tucker's certificate is filed as exhibit A, in these words : —
Deo. 20, 1863.
I do hereby certify tbat I have this day burned, by the order of Brigadier-General Adams, (75) seventy-five bales cotton belonging to J. Billgerry, purchased by him from Catherine E. Scott.
(Signed) Robeet TucKEe,
2nd Lieut. Co. E. Adams' Cavalry Regiment.
On the hearing of the cause, on the 25th day of October, 1865, petitioner filed his affidavit that the written contract had been lost or mislaid; that it was placed in the third District Court in New Orleans, in some legal proceedings had therein, and upon applying for it, and after search made, it could not be found; and that it was not in his possession or control, nor did he know where it was.
A. Blair, for petitioner, testified that — Erom December 1, 1863, to June 1, 1864, he was clerk in the government yard at Natchez, fait was not clerk in December, 1863, only afterwards. He was sent to Rodney by the treasury agent, about the beginning of March, 1864, to see what amount of government cotton was sent out from the interior. He met Billgerry and Killings-worth at Rodney. The latter demanded of the former a receipt for cotton, which he, as agent of Mrs. Scott, had delivered to appellee. The amount was about seventy or eighty bales. At the same time, Killingsworth asked appellee, " have you weighed the cotton which was sent here ? give me a receipt for it." Thinks the amount sent to Rodney was thirty-five or forty bales, for which Killingsworth demanded a receipt. Appellee answered, " there is no seal e here; the cotton must be shipped to Natchez; the same will be weighed there, and I will give credit for every pound." This cotton was shipped to Natchez, by Clemens, to the government yard, where it was claimed by Killingsworth for Mrs. Scott, after witness heard from Drake that he had purchased that cotton from Killingsworth, which the latter admitted. Is certain Killingsworth said the cotton came from Mrs. Scott's, and was a part of the cotton sold to Billgerry. He proves the handwriting of Drake to a letter annexed to his deposition, and states that Drake and Crawford shipped the cotton from Natchez to New Orleans and Cincinnati, according to the statements of Drake and Killingsworth. The cotton was marked " Scott " and " B." He understood from them that Clemens, who shipped the cotton from Rodney, had a share or profit in the same cotton.
On cross-examination, he denied any interest in the suit, and said there were several persons present at the conversation in Rodney, but only remembers Joseph Kraemer, a United States detective police officer.
Joseph Kraemer testified that — He was a detective officer of the United States, from December, 1863, to June, 1864. In February or March, 1864, at Rodney, Killingsworth stated to witness that the Marine Brigade brought out from the plantation of Mrs. Scott, thi/rty-ni/ne bales of cotton, which were pa/rt of the cotton which he, as agent of Mrs. Scott, had sold to appellee / and he farther stated to witness, that the cotton which he had sold to appellee, had been burned by the Confederates, and that he would now follow the cotton to Natchez, and cause the same to be siezed. Said cotton was shipped from Rodney to Natchez, by Clemens, and stored in the government yard. 'Witness saw Killingsworth a few days after in Natchez, who informed him he had the cotton seized; and witness understood from him, that he had made a contract with Drake, but not what contract. Appellee employed witness to watch the cotton, which he did. It was shipped, some of it, to Cincinnati, and some to New Orleans, by Drake and Crawford, who claimed it. It was mixed with other cotton. That sent to Cincinnati was shipped by Drake, Crawford, Clemens, and treasury agent Hart.
Witness was present in a conversation between Killingswortli and appellee, in wbicli Blair was present; something about cotton to be weighed, but did not give much attention, being occupied with something else. The cotton was marked " B " by appellee, at Rodney, and some bales were marked " Scott " already.
L. Spencer testified that — He was sutler of the Marine Brigade, and speculator in cotton. That in December, 1863, he accompanied a party of fifty men of the brigade, under Captain DeCosta and Lieutenant Ellet, into the country. Appellee was with the party. They went to the plantation of McDonald, where appellee, in the immediate presence of DeCosta and Ellet, presented a bill of sale to McDonald for some ninety-six bales of cotton, and demanded its delivery to him. That McDonald refused to deliver it, and privately directed a negro to secrete his mules and oxen, to prevent the cotton being taken; but that two wagon loads were taken. The soldiers were not near enough to hear the conversation.
E. Menure testified that — Erom December, 1863, to June, 1864, he was traveling from New Orleans to Natchez, and other places, speculating in cotton. In February or March, 1864, he met Killingswortli in Natchez, who told him that appellee had taken, witness believes, thirty-eight bales of cotton from Mrs. Scott's, which was in the government yard, and he had had the same seized; and that Drake had claimed the same cotton, and Drake and Clemens had got it released, and shipped it to New Orleans and Cincinnati. Proves the letter of June 11, 1864, to be in Drake's handwriting.
The letter of S. IT. Drake to Gen. Ellet, of the Marine Brigade, dated June 11, 1864, states that the fleet took out from the plantation of A. W. Killingswortli, fifty bales of cotton, and also thirty-four bales from Anapias Killingswortk's, making eighty-four bales, marked "B," which Drake had bought and paid for in March, 1863, and which had been shipped by Clemens, from Rodney to Natchez. That, on examination of the title, Clemens had given him (Drake) an order for it. That he sold it, and it was then shipped to New Orleans, where it had been seized by J. Billgerry as bis cotton. Tbat Billgerry bad been perpetrating a gross fraud on tbe fleet, and robbing tbe people of tbeir cotton after bis bad been burned. Tbat Billgerry bad told him (Drake), in January, tbat bis cotton bad been burned, and that he would take Drake's cotton in place, or anybody else's. And requests the General not to allow bis officers to give depositions in favor of Billgerry tbat would defraud him (Drake) out of bis cotton.
This letter is produced, and given in evidence by appellee.
John Schmidt testified tbat — He was with tbe party at McDonald's, on tbe 16th of December, 1863, when appellee demanded tbe cotton, and that McDonald delivered sixteen bales to appellee. He was there again tbe latter part of February, 1864, when Lieut. Ellet presented tbe same receipt as tbe first time, and told McDonald be should deliver appellee bis cotton. McDonald said it was burned. Tbe next day McDonald came on board tbe steamer Autocrat, and bad a conversation with Gen. Ellet. The latter presented tbe same receipt, and asked McDonald if be bad ever weighed, marked, mingled, set apart, or separated that cotton from his own. McDonald answered in tbe negative, but promised to deliver appellee's cotton, and to haul it in a day or two.
"Witness accompanied tbe detatcbment of tbe Marine Brigade, again under tbe command of DeOosta and Ellet, and with the appellee in company, to various other plantations in tbe neighborhood, where tbe bills of sale, or receipts, were presented to the parties, sometimes by DeOosta, sometimes by Ellet, and sometimes by appellee ; and testifies, tbat in every case the same demand was made, and tbe same formula concerning tbe weighing, marking, and setting apart, and separating was gone over, by whoever acted as the spokesman on tbe particular occasion, and tbat tbe same negative answer was always received. He states tbat DeOosta conducted tbe conversation at Mrs, Scott's; tbat she admitted the receipt shown, for seventy-five bales, sold by her agent Killingsworth, but stated tbe burning oí the same by tbe Confederates. Tbat she bad about two hundred and fifty bales more; and tbat thirty-eight or tliirty-nine bales were delivered. Next day witness Tiea/rd that the agent of Mrs. Seott called on appellee at Rodney, and said it must be weighed, and appellee replied there was no scale there. Knows the cotton was shipped to Natchez, and that the same thirty-nine bales were seized by the agent of Mrs. Scott, and were delivered to said agent, and by him shipped to New Orleans, to his personal knowledge.
On cross-examination, he says that — When the agent of Mrs. Scott came to Rodney to demand that the thirty-nine bales should be weighed, he asked appellee to shew him the receipt, to which the appellee replied that he had not the receipt in his possession; that Gen. Ellet had it. This cotton was shipped to Natchez by Sherrod Clemens. He states that the Marine Brigade was stationed in the Mississippi River, from Yicksburg to Natchez, in December, 1863, and during January, February and March, 1864, and was " scolding " during that time in Jefferson and Claiborne counties, for the purpose of " fringing out " stock, corn and cotton, and protecting citizens to bring in cotton. That witness and appellee both went along, and went to all the plantations mentioned in his testimony.
George Whitecoff's testimony is about the same as that of Schmidt, except that he states the conversation with Mrs. Scott as having been carried on jointly by appellee and DeCosta, and that he says that Mrs. Scott promised that she would deliver to appellee the amount of cotton claimed by him, and accordingly did send him some thirty-eight or forty bales, which he acknowledged to have received, stating at the same time that she owed the balance, and should deliver it to him as soon as possible. Witness was a Lieutenant in the Marine Brigade during all the period spoken of, and was an officer of the " scouting " party, which consisted of about fifty men, under the command of Capt. De-Costa and Lieut. Ellet.
Henry Levy testified that — In the summer of1863, he went with Billgerry from Conrad's to A. W. Killingsworth's to buy cotton. Billgerry bought seventy-five bales of him, the property of Mrs. Scott, of whom Mr. Killingsworth was the brother, and agent. Billgerry paid for the cotton, and Killingsworth gave him a receipt, which witness wrote, stating in the receipt that he would deliver tbe cotton, at Rodney, whenever shipments conld be made. It was written in September, 1863, at Killingsworth's house, six miles from Mrs. Scott's, where the cotton was. Witness never-saw the seventy-five bales bought, and did not know how marked, or whether it was weighed or separated from other cotton. In the fall of 1863, witness was at Conrad's with appellee, when Killingsworth came and reported they were burning cotton in the neighborhood. He remarked that French flags would be respected, and appellee by that means could save his own and Killingsworth's cotton. Appellee made French flags for all the parties, and he and I carried most of them to the parties; but Mrs. Scott, who happened to be at Conrad's, took hers. Witness understood the flags were raised for the benefit of defendant as well as appellee. Fie states that he was not interested in any of the transactions, and has no interest in this suit.
The above was all the testimony in chief on the part of the petitioner. The defendant read in evidence the following proof, to wit:
E. Jeffords testified that — He was employed as attorney by Killingsworth, as agent of Mrs. Scott, in February or March, 1864, to file her claim before R. S. Hart, treasury agent at Natchez. He drew up a written statement; does not recollect the number of bales; but it was cotton seized by the Marine Brigade, and brought to Natchez on the Clara Bell, as the property of appellee. The cotton thus claimed by Mrs. Scott was detained a considerable time, and was finally' turned over by Hart to the appellee, on an order of Gen. McArthur, commanding at Yicksburg. He saw this order in Hart's possession, and also the order signed by Hart directing the cotton to be delivered to appellee. The cotton was shipped to New Orleans. Knows that appellee claimed the same cotton, and saw his written claim on file in the office of the treasury agent at Natchez.
Lewis H. Drake testified that — He saw the cotton at Natchez, and that the same was delivered to appellee, by Hart, on the order of the commanding officer at Yicksburg, on the sworn deposition of appellee, that it was a part of two hundred and fifty bales for which he paid the com/mander of the Marime Brigade, or his agent, $2,000 m cash (Mid sixty bales of cotton for tahmg it from Jefferson oovmt/y to Natchez. "Witness saw tbe cotton afterwards on tbe bank of tbe river at Natcbez, in possession of appellee, going on board tbe boat for New Orleans. He saw tbe claim and deposition of appellee in tbe bands of Hart, at Natcbez, and read it.
Anon W. Eallingsworth testified tbat — In August or September, 1863, as agent of Mrs. Scott, be sold and delivered to appellee seventy-five bales of cotton, under a sbed containing ninety-one bales. Appellee said be would put tbe French flag over it, which would protect it. Appellee sampled it, and paid for it at thirteen cents per pound, in Confederate money. On tbe back of tbe bill of sale was endorsed a memorandum, signed by appellee, tbat if tbe cotton was burned by tbe military authorities on either side it should be appellee's loss. Tbe cotton was not marked. Saw French flag over it.
He states tbat in November or December, appellee came out with tbe Marine Brigade, and was at witness' bouse. Shortly afterwards tbe seventy-five bales of appellee's cotton were rolled out of tbe sbed and burned, by order of Gen. Adams. In tbe spring of 1864, appellee again came out with tbe Marine Brigade, and took tbe sixteen bales left under tbe sbed, and twenty-three bales of other cotton of Mrs. Scott.
On cross-examination, be says- — Fifty bales were bought at witness' bouse, eight miles from Mrs. Scott's. Tbe sbed was one hundred and fifty yards from her residence. Tbe cotton was not marked; it was to be delivered at Rodney, and weighed there, after tbe war, or after the ports were open. Tbe flag was put on tbe sbed to protect appellee's cotton.
W. G. Yanse testified tbat — Levy told him be bad some inter-: est in some of tbe purchases made by appellee in 1863, in which be bad been assisting.
Anapias ICillingswortb proved tbe taking of tbe thirty-nine bales from Mrs. Scott, by tbe Marine Brigade, and tbat appellee was with them; also thirty-four bales from witness, which belonged to Griffing. Appellee told witness tbat be bad put bis flag ewer Ms cotton at Mrs. Scott's, and gave witness one to pnt over tbe cotton he had, at witness' house, and had given it to others in the neighborhood.
Thomas J. Cogan proved the burning of the cotton at Mrs. Scott's, by the Confederates. Wrote the certificate which was signed by Lieut. Tucker.
A. W. Killingsworth was examined in open court at the hearing, and testified that he went to Natchez in March,. 1864, to follow the thirl y-nine bales of cotton taken by appellee from Mrs. Scott's, and got a lawyer name Jeffords there to have it seized. The Federal lines were then closed, and he was shut out, and never knew what became of the cotton; but Mr. Jeffords and Drake sent him word that'it was delivered up to Billgerry.
Before the sale of Mrs. Scott's cotton, witness had sold fifty bales of his own to Griffing & Lewis, for Drake, and after-wards sold fifty bales to appellee. The latter were burned by order of Gen. Adams, and when appellee came out with the Marine Brigade, in February, 1864, he took the fifty bales witness had sold to Griffing & Lewis, for Drake, carried it to Rodney and shipped it to N atchez, and it was about that cotton only that he had any conversation with Drake in Natchez, if he had any; and never had any about Mrs. Scott's cotton, and never had any contract with Drake respecting it. Does not know Blair, or Kraemer. Never saw either of them so far as he knows. Denies all the eonversationis testified to by them at Rodney and Natchez.
Levy wrote the contract for the sale of Mrs. Scott's cotton to appellee. It stated the amount of cotton, and the price paid. It was to remain at Mrs. Scott's at appellee's risk, and to be hauled to Rodney when shipments could be made. Two or three days afterwards, witness went to Conrad's where appellee was staying, and told him he did not think the bill of sale was drawn exactly according to the contract, and witness wanted Mm to insert that if the cotton should be burned it would be his loss. He told witness to write on the back what witness thought would be according to the contract, and he would agree to it. Witness wrote on the back of it, " If the witMn cotton should be burned by military authority of either party, it would be my loss," (that is appellee's loss,) and appellee signed it, and kept the bill of sale.
"Witness first sent word to appellee to come to Mrs. Scott's,. and buy twenty-five bales of cotton; he came, and witness met him on the gallery, and showed him the cotton shed, one hundred and fifty yards off. lie went and examined the cotton, and sampled it; returned to the house, and they agreed on the price. He told witness to call at Conrad's for the money, which witness did, and received pay, and made a bill of sale for twenty-five bales. Some weeks after witness sent him word to come to his house. He came with Levy. Witness then sold him fifty bales of his own cotton, and fifty bales more of Mrs. Scott's cotton under the same shed with the first twenty-five bales. The bill of sale of the twenty-five bales was then taken up, and a new one made for the whole seventy-five bales. Confederate money was then worth three, four, or five for one in greenbacks, and ten or fifteen for one in gold. The bales were to weigh four hundred pounds each, to be delivered and weighed in Rodney. If the weight exceeded the average, appellee was to pay for it, and if it did not reach the amount, Mrs. Scott was to make it up in cotton. All the cotton sold to appellee was to come out of that shed.
Gen. Adams testified to the military orders issued by him for the burning of appellee's cotton, and the grounds of such order: That appellee had guided the Federal forces in a raid into the interior, and was removing cotton to the Federal lines, having previously fled the Confederate lines under grave charges.
W. S. Buck — Was a soldier in Gen. Adams' command, and was of the party, under Lieut. Tucker, detailed to burn the cotton, and proves that the cotton at Mrs. Scott's was burned.
Joseph Bülgerry then testified in his own behalf, in rebuttal, that — He did not know where the cotton he bought of Mrs. Scott was stored. He bought seventy-five bales, with the privilege to pick it from any cotton • on the place. The bill of sale was-made at Killingsworth's, eight miles from Mrs. Scott's. He did not purchase any specified cotton. Nothing was said as to where it was to come from. Two weeks after the contract was made, an endorsement was made on it, and signed by bim, that if all tbe cotton on Mrs. Scott's place got burned, be was to have no claim.
After tbe seizure of tbe thirty-nine bales of cotton in Natchez on Mrs. Scott's claim, witness never obtained possession or control of it, and does not know what became of it, and never received a cent of tbe proceeds. In February, 1864, at Rodney, .Killingsworth demanded that this cotton should be weighed, and witness told bim there were no scales there, but witness would have it weighed at Natchez or Vicksburg, and give credit for every pound. Cotton was worth in Rodney on the 24th of July, 1864, from.twenty-seven to thirty-five cents a pound.
On cross-examination he says — -There was first a contract for twenty-five bales, and about two weeks afterwards another for seventy-five bales, and the first was torn up. The first was made at Conrad's house. He went to Mrs. Scott's tó see Killingsworth. Levy went with him. Did not stay ten minutes. Saw cotton in several sheds, in seed, in lint and bales. Never heard of any shed in which there were ninety-one bales. Did .not sample any cotton. Denies that he paid the brigade anything for bringing out his cotton.
The decree requires the defendant to deliver at Rodney in thirty days, thirty-six bales of cotton (charging appellee with thirty-nine bales already taken), or to pay $4,464, the value of said thirty-six bales at thirty-one cents per pound.
The court in which these proceedings took place is one unknown to the Constitution of the United States, or of this State. It was created by the provisional governor of the State, by a commission, bearing date the 12th day of July, a.d. 1865, the material parts of which are in the following words, to wit:
" I, W. L. Sharkey, provisional governor of the State of Mississippi, do hereby appoint the said George T. Swann to the office of special judge, with equity jurisdiction in all contracts for cotton or other personal property in this State, with power to proceed in a summary way on petition, to enforce specific performance, or rescind contracts, on notice to parties."
The commission further empowers the judge to issue process, to punish, for contempt, and to appoint' a clerk; and makes it tbe duty of sheriffs to execute tbe process, and enforce decrees.
On tbe 25th day of July, 1865, tbe day after this suit was instituted, tbe governor issued an amendment or supplement to tbe original commission, as follows: " Whereas doubts have arisen in tbe minds of some persons in regard to tbe extent of tbe jurisdiction intended to be conferred upon George T. Swann as special judge, it is hereby declared, that, in decreeing specific performance of contracts in reference to cotton, or other property, be has power to make bis decrees in tbe alternative, for tbe cotton or other property, or for its value if tbe property itself cannot be bad, or lias been sold or disposed of; tbe measure of value to be regulated by tbe value of tbe thing at tbe time suit was brought, with ten per cent, damages."
It is objected, in tbe first place, that tbe provisional governor had no power to create such a tribunal, and that all its proceedings are coram non juclice, and void.
In determining this question, tbe actual circumstances of tbe country are to be borne in mind. At tbe close of a protracted war between tbe United States • and tbe Confederate States, tbe military power of tbe latter being subdued, and their government subverted, tbe State of Mississippi fell under tbe power of tbe Federal arms. That power was exerted to its full extent. Tbe civil government was totally overthrown, and all its fune tionaries were ejected from their offices. Tbe legislature was forbidden to assemble; tbe governor was arrested and carried to prison; tbe courts were all closed; tbe archives and public records of the State were seized; the administration of tbe laws was suspended; and tbe military power reigned supreme. All tbe rights of government usually exercised by a military conqueror over a foreign territory, subdued by arms, were asserted and put in operation, and only such laws and regulations were enforced as tbe military commanders saw proper to permit, and that only by functionaries of their own appointment. In tbe proclamation of tbe President, dated June 13, 1865, be declared that " tbe rebellion bad, in its revolutionary progress, deprived tbe people of tbe State of all civil government;" and this was true; for tbe military power of tbe United States bad torn it down, and bad. established itself upon tbe ruins. This proclamation goes on to appoint W. L. Sbarkey to be provisional governor of tbe State, and to define some of his powers and duties. Tbe government thus created was essentially a military government, and tbe provisional governor derived bis powers directly from tbe President, as commander-in-chief of tbe army and navy of tbe United States. Tbe power of tbe President to create snob governments in conquered territory (which was tbe light in which tbe subject must have been viewed by him), and to appoint judicial tribunals,'with more or less jurisdiction, to enforce tbe laws, seems to be well-settled upon general principles. It has been decided, in reference to tbe témporary con quest and occupation of a portion of tbe territory of tbe United States by a foreign enemy, that by such conquest and occupation, tbe territory passed under tbe allegiance and sovereignty of tbe enemy, and that tbe laws of tbe United States were necessarily suspended, and that by their surrender tbe inhabitants became subject to such laws, and to such laws only, as tbe conquerors chose to impose. No other laws could in tbe nature of things be obligatory upon them; for where there is no protection or sovereignty, there can 'be no claim to obedience. (United States v. Hayward, 2 Gallison, 485, 501; United States v. Rice, 4 Wheaton, 246.)
Upon tbe conquest of New Mexico by tbe United States forces, under Gen. Kearney, be established therein a' new government, and ordained an entire code of laws, which were held to prevail until altered by Congress, or by tbe territorial government subsequently erected. (Leitensdorfer v. Webb, 20 How. U. S., 176.) Judge Daniel, delivering tbe opinion of the court in that case, says: " Upon the acquisition .in tbe year 1846, by tbe arms of tbe United States, of tbe Territory of New Mexico, tbe civil government of this territory being overthrown, tbe officer (Gen. Kearney) bolding possession for tbe United States, by virtue of tbe power of conquest and occupancy, and in obedience to tbe duty of maintaining tbe security of tbe inhabitants in their persons and property, ordained, under tbe sane tion and authority of the United States, a provisional or temporary government for the acquired country. By this substitution of a new supremacy, although the former political relations of the inhabitants were dissolved, their private relations, their rights vested under the government of their former allegiance, or those arising from contract or usage, remained in full force and unchanged, except so far as they were, in their nature and character, found to be in conflict with the constitution and laws of the United States, or with any regulations which the conquering and occupying authority should ordain. Amongst the consequences which would be necessarily incident to the change of sovereignty, would be the appointment and control of the agents by whom, and the modes in which the government of the occupant should be administered — this result being indispensable in order to secure those objects for which such a government is usually established." See also United States v. Perchman, 7 Peters, 51 (86), and Mitchell v. United States, 9 Peters, 711.
The aspect of the case, in any soiincl view of the constitutional relations between the States and the Federal government, would be different. Assuming the doctrines of those who supported the cause of the Union, none of these belligerent rights existed after the close of actual hostilities. It was maintained by them that a State had no right to separate from the Union, and that the people of the Confederate States were rebels in arms against their rightful sovereign. The war waged against the people of these States could be justified on no other theory — for if the right to withdraw existed, the war was a flagrant wrong- — -and the logical deduction from the premises was, that the relations of the States to the Union suffered only a temporary derangement, and that upon the suppression of armed resistance to the National authorities, the States immediately and necessarily resumed their normal position as States in the Union, and fell at once into their regular movements in their former orbits. Such a result, however inevitable it may have seemed, was not allowed to be realized, and we have been subjected to the ordinary rules of warfare and conquest, as they exist between distinct and independent nations. However inconsequential this may be, and however inconsistent with tbe principles and purposes avowed in tbe prosecution of tbe war, to wit, tbe indissolubility of tbe Federal Union, and tbe compulsory restoration of tbe seceding States, nevertheless tbe facts exist in a form that defies logic, and we have no choice but to accept tbe condition actually impressed upon us by superior powei', and to govern ourselves by tbe rules and principles applicable to such cases. Tbe legitimacy of tbe existing State government depends in a great measure upon the power of tbe President to establish tbe provisional government, and it is our duty, unless compelled by a strong necessity, not to assert any theories having a tendency to disorganize tbe State, or overthrow existing institutions. Indeed, whatever may have been tbe original character of this contest, and whoever may have been in fault — questions which it is not tbe province of this court to discuss — by tbe rules of the voluntary law of nations, every regular war is on both sides accounted just, as to its effects ; and its results have to be accepted as lawful. Vattel, 382, 385.
"We cannot measure tbe authority of the provisional governor by tbe terms of tbe proclamation appointing him, nor restrict bis powers to tbe particular subjects specified in it. Tbe proclamation is not necessarily bis only authority. Whatever power in this respect was possessed by tbe President, might be delegated by him to tbe governor, and in tbe absence of any evidence that any particular act of the governor was disapproved by tbe President, we must suppose that it was authorized beforehand, or subsequently ratified and adopted. Tbe power in such cases to create judicial tribunals, and to appoint judges to administer tbe laws in tbe form and to tbe extent permitted by tbe coriqueror, was exercised in tbe case of New Mexico, and approved by tbe Supreme Court in tbe case heretofore quoted; and when exerted in conformity to tbe controlling provisions of tbe Constitution of tbe United States, seems to be free from valid objection.
This tribunal, as created by tbe provisional governor, was not a State, but a Federal court, deriving its existence, and all its powers, from tbe Federal Government. Tbe governor wras a Federal officer, appointed to administer tbe Federal rule overtime State; and tbe war-making power of that government was tbe source of all bis authority. But wben tbe State Convention, convoked by tbe governor under tbe direction of tbe President, assembled, that body, finding tbis court in operation, and otbei's of like character in other places, passed an ordinance, dated August 23, 1865, whereby it was declared, " that the special courts of equity heretofore, and that may be hereafter, established in tbis State by tbe provisional governor thereof, be and tbe same are hereby recognized to 'be in existence and tbis ordinance provided for tbe revision by tbis court, on appeal or writ of error, of all judgments of such special courts ; and that, after tbe courts known to the constitution and layre of tbis State are established, such special courts shall not be recognized beyond tbe then unfinished and instituted business of the same.
Tbis ordinance was not necessary to impart any additional validity to tbe courts. Tbe time appointed by tbe convention for tbe State government to go into operation, and for tbe establishment of tbe courts known to tbe constitution and laws, was the third Monday (16th day) of October, 1865, and until that time, tbe provisional government, and tbe courts established by its authority, would of course continue, independently of tbe will of tbe Convention. Tbe effect of tbe ordinance was merely to recognize these courts as having a lawful existence, and to adopt them as State tribunals, so far as to bring them into relation with tbe supreme appellate courts of the State, and to subject their judgments to tbe revision of tbis tribunal, " as in tbe case of appeals and wilts of error from tbe circuit and chancery court of tbis State." But if any doubt could remain, as to tbe legal existence of tbe courts under the creation of tbe provisional governor, tbis ordinance would be sufficient to put that matter at rest, and to give them that legal existence, to tbe extent of tbe powers actually conferred upon them, subject to tbe particular restrictions and general principles of the constitution.
It may next be inquired, what was tbe extent of tbe jurisdic tion of tbe courts thus created and established under the commission issued' to the judges, and the explanatory order in relation thereto.
The civil government of the State having been subverted, and all power having passed into.the hands of the authorities of the United States, the question whether any, and what, civil government should be permitted, was a matter in the discretion of those authorities. During this military occupation, the laws of the State could only operate so far as they chose to allow, and could only be administered by such agents as they pleased to appoint. The President could create courts of justice, or not, at his discretion. He could cause all the laws of the State to be administered and executed, or he could cause the whole to be disregarded and set at naught. We are therefore to look at the action of the provisional governor, representing the President in this respect, to ascertain what he has authorized to be done, and from that, by a necessary implication, what he has forbidden to be done. Having the whole subject before him, with full power over it, it is to be presumed that he has expressed whatever he intended to ordain, and that what he has not expressed, he intended to prohibit. His acts are to receive a fair and. reasonable interpretation, and are to be construed by the same rules that, apply to ordinary measures of legislation.
The first public act of the provisional governor, after his appointment, was the issuance of his proclamation of July 1, 1865, by which he appointed in every county the judges and clerks of probate courts, boards of police, justices of the peace, and all other county officers; and authorized them to enter upon the full discharge of their duties, on taking the oath prescribed by him. The exclusion of any provision for the circuit and chancery courts shows clearly that it was not intended that the jurisdiction of these tribunals should be exercised in the then condition of affairs. It would have been easy then to have reopened all the civil courts,' and to have fully restored the ordinary administration of justice. The omission to do so was no doubt the result of design, and not of accident.
Two days after the date of tbe above proclamation, the governor, by an order dated July 3,1865, " ordered, that the act in regard to the action of replevin, and the amendments thereto passed by the legislature of Mississippi, since the 9th day of January, 1861, be and the same is hereby declared to be in full force from this date." The act here referred to, is an act entitled " An act to provide for the speedy recovery of personal property wrongfully taken or detained," approved December 3, 1863, chapter 19, by which, in all cases of the wrongful taking or detention of personal property, a summary remedy by action of replevin before two justices of the peace, was given to the party injured, to recover the property and damages for the wrongful taking or detention. This was the only court created by the governor for the adjudication*of legal rights; and these are the only cases committed to its jurisdiction; leaving all the rest of the immense mass of legal rights wholly without any redress.
The establishment of the Special Court of Equity on the 12th of July, completed the system of jurisprudence which the provisional governor thought proper to put in operation during his administration; and the extent of the jurisdiction of the latter court is the immediate question under consideration. It is a court " with equity jurisdiction," but not a court of general equity jurisdiction. Its powers are specifically confined to a single class of cases, to wit, " contracts for cotton or other personal property in this State; " leaving all the other numerous heads of equity jurisdiction entirely beyond its cognizance. It is not even a court of general equity jurisdiction in contracts for cotton or other personal property; but only has power to " enforce specific performance, or rescind " such contracts. The jurisdiction conferred upon the court, is defined in the most appropriate technical language, the meaning of which is well settled in the law. And we think the plain and evident intention was, to create a court of equity, with the ordinary powers of such a court, to exercise the jurisdiction properly belonging to a court of equity, over the particular subjects entrusted to its cognizance, to wit, the specific performance and rescisión of contracts for cotton or other personal property in this State, and to be regulated and controlled in the discharge of its functions, by the rules that prevail in courts of equity, as recognized in the jurisprudence of this country. Whatever powers legitimately belong to courts of equity generally, and none others, belong to, and may be rightfully exercised by, the special judge appointed by this commission, over the subjects to which his powers extend.
We come, then, to the inquiry whether the case made by this record is one in which, according to the settled rules of a court of equity, the appellee is entitled to relief.
The petition is very concise. It alleges that the defendant sold the petitioner seventy-five bales of cotton averaging four hundred pounds per bale, for the sum of $3,900, then paid, which. cotton was to be delivered, when required, in good order at Rodney, and that .defendant refuses to deliver the said cotton, and it therefore prays that a specific performance may be decreed. There is thus stated a sale of cotton, the payment of the price, and a refusal to deliver. It may confidently be affirmed, that no case can be found in the books in which the specific performance of such a contract, on such a state of facts, was ever decreed in a court of equity.
The general principles that regulate the discretion of a court of equity, when the specific performance of a contract is claimed, are plain and simple. Ordinarily, in the case of chattels, the court will not interfere to decree a specific delivery, because by a suit at law a full compensation may be obtained in damages, although the thing itself cannot be specifically obtained; and where such a remedy at law is perfectly adequate and effectual to redress the injury, there is no reason why courts of equity should afford any aid to the party. The rule is illustrated by stating the exceptions to it; and these always depend upon peculiar circumstances, as where the thing is of peculiar value and importance, and the loss of it cannot be compénsated in damages; or where some other ingredient of equity jurisdiction is mixed up in the transaction. Various cases are put in the books, in which this jurisdiction has been exercised, from the cases of the Pusey horn, and the Duke of Somerset's altar-piece, down to that of the mad-stone, witb tbe romantic legend recorded by Judge Clayton in Murphy v. Clark ; but all of them turned upon some pretium affectionis, -or other peculiar circumstances, to take them out of the admitted general rule. In regard to contracts respecting personal estate, it is generally true that no particular or peculiar value is attached to any one thing over another of the same kind; and that a compensation in damages meets the full merits, as well as the full objects, of the contracts. If a man contracts for the purchase of a hundred bales of cotton, or boxes of sugar, or bags of coffee, of a particular description or quality, if the contract is not specifically performed, he may generally, with a sum equal to the market price, purchase other goods of a like description and quality; and thus completely obtain his object, and indemnity himself against loss. 2 Story's Eq., sections 718, 709, 700, and 746; 3 Parsons on Con. 364; Willard's Eq. Ju. 368, 271; 1 Leading Cases in Equity, 520 to 534; Notes to the cases of Cudder v. Rutter, Pusey v. Pusey, and Dulce of Somerset v. Cookson.
It is altogether immaterial whether there was a sale of certain specific bales of cotton, or an agreement to sell and deliver a certain number of bales out of a particular lot, or a general agreement to sell and deliver a certain number of bales, without any designation of the specific bales, or of the particular lot out of which they are to come. All such cases depend upon the same general principle. The rule is, not to entertain jurisdiction in equity for a specific performance of agreements respecting goods, Chattels, stock, choses in action, and other things of a personal nature, unless, under the particular circumstances of the 'case, there can be no adequate compensation in damages at law. 2 Story Eq. Ju., sections 717,717a, and 718. Difficulty sometimes occurs, in the application of the rule, whether the circumstances of a particular case will exempt it from its operation; and equity writers and judges are often disposed to enlarge their jurisdiction beyond its proper limits. But there can be no difficulty in a case like the present, if the general principle be admitted. In this State it seems to be fully established. The right to go into chancery to obtain the specific delivery of slaves, was expressly put upon the jyreüum, affeoüonis, and the peculiar nature and character of the property, and since that right was established, this court has clearly recognized the rule that a court of equity cannot take jurisdiction in cases of personal property, where there is an adequate remedy at law. Hoy v. Hansborough, Freeman Ch. R. 543; Murphy v. Clark, 1 S. and M. 235; Butler v. Hicks, 11 S. and M. 86; Echols v. Hammond, 30 Miss. 177; Brown v. Bank of Miss. 31 Miss. 454; Brown v. Gooldsby, 34 Miss. 437.
But it is argued that if the appellee is not entitled to a decree for specific performance, he is entitled to a decree for the yalue of the property; and this is claimed, first, under the general principles of equity jurisprudence, and secondly, independently of such principles, by force of the amended or explanatory order of the provisional governor.
We do not think this pretension can be supported upon either ground. Courts of equity do not entertain jurisdiction to give redress by way of compensation or damages, for breaches of contract or other wrongs, where these are the sole objects of the bill. Such relief is only decreed where it is incidental to other relief sought by the bill, and granted by the court; or where there is no adequate remedy at law; or where some peculiar equity intervenes. Wherever compensation or damages are incidental to other relief, as for instance, where a specific performance is decreed upon the application of either party, with an allowance to be made for any deficiency as to the quantity, quality, or description of the property, or for any delay in performing the contract, there it seems clear that the jurisdiction properly attaches in equity; for it flows, and is inseparable from the proper relief. But where a specific performance is denied, such compensation or damages do not seem to be allowed, except in cases where the defendant, after suit brought, has put it out of his power to perform, and the specific performance is denied on that account. After a review of the subject, Judge Story sums up by saying: " In the present state of the authorities, involving, as they certainly do, some conflict of opinion, it is not possible to affirm more, than that the jurisdiction for compensation or damages does not ordinarily attach in equity, except as auxiliary to a specific performance, or some other relief. If it does attach in any other cases, it must be under very special circumstances, and upon peculiar equities, as for instance in cases of fraud; or in cases where the party has disabled himself, by matters ex post facto, from a specific performance ; or in cases where there is no adequate remedy at law." 2 Story's Eq. Ju., chapter 19, sections 794 to 799. Willard's Eq. Ju. 309.
Nor do we think the claim stands on a better footing under the amended or explanatory order. Its language is, " In decreeing specific performance, he (the judge) has power to make his decrees in the alternative, for the cotton or other property, or its value." It was evidently intended merely to expand the jurisdiction proper to a court of equity, of decreeing compensation or damages as auxiliary and incidental to a decree of specific performance, and applies only to cases in which it is proper to decree such specific performance. Compensation can only be allowed, under this order, as an alternative relief, and must be supported by an ordinary decree of specific performance; and, in cases like the one under consideration, where it is improper to decree a specific performance, there can, of course, be no alternative decree for compensation or damages.
Any other interpretation of this explanatory order would give it an effect far beyond its legitimate scope and object, and beyond the constitutional power of the provisional governor, or of the President. If not restricted in its application as above stated, then its effect must be to declare, that, in all cases of contracts for cotton or other personal property, where a specific performance cannot be decreed according to the general principles of a court of equity, the judge of the special court shall have power to entertain bills for the recovery of compensation or damages for the breach of such contracts, and that the measure of damages shall be the value of the property on the day the suit shall be commenced, with ten per cent, added thereto.
This would be to make a very different rule from the one actually prescribed by the governor, and would do violence not only to Ms plain intention, but also to clear constitutional principles.
Without disputing tbe power of tbe Executive of tbe nation, while bolding a State under, absolute military rule, to create provisional governments, to, ordain laws, and to establish judicial tribunals for their administration, still, all these powers must be exercised in subordination to the Constitution of the United States. That instrument recognizes the distinction between legal and equitable rights, and when the President, or his subordinates, undertake to create civil tribunals to administer the laws of any State or Territory, held for the time being under military dominion, he is bound to respect these fundamental regulations, and to refrain from exercising a power which the legislative department of the government would not, in the same case, possess. He may abstain from instituting civil tribunals, if he will; but if he exercises the power, he cannot disregard the restrictions of the organic law. The seventh amendment of the constitution provides that, "In cases at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by jury shall.be preserved." The phrase " common law" is here used in contradistinction to equity, and admiralty and maritime jurisprudence. The trial by jury is required in all suits in which legal rights are to be ascertained and determined, in contradistinction to those where equitable rights alone are recognized, and equitable remedies administered; or where, as in the admiralty, a mixture of public law, and of maritime law and equity, are often found in the same suit. This clause of the constitution embraces all suits which are not of equity or admiralty jurisdiction, whatever may be the peculiar form they assume to settle legal rights. Parsons v. Bedford, 3 Peters, 483, 466, 467.
And the adoption of the State practice by the courts of the United States, in States where no distinction exists between cases at law and equity, does not confound' these principles, nor authorize legal and equitable claims to be blended together in one suit. The constitution establishes the distinction between law and equity; and a party who claims a legal title must pro ceed at law, and may proceed according to the forms of practice in sucb cases in tbe State courts. But if the claim is an equitable one, he must proceed according to the rules which the Supreme Court of the United States has prescribed, regulating proceedings in equity in the courts of the United States. Bennett v. Butterworth, 11 Howard U. S. 669, 674.
A suit to recover damages or compensation, for the breach of a contract for the sale and delivery of personal property, is a purely legal demand, and is properly the subject of a "suit at common lawand the party cannot be deprived of his right of trial by jury, by a legislative or executive declaration that the subject-matter shall be cognizable in a court of equity. What belonged to the jurisdiction of courts of equity, at the adoption of the constitution, belongs to them still; and whatever was then cognizable in the courts of common law, remains a " suit at common law," in which the parties are entitled to a jury trial — a right justly dear to the American people, and which it is the duty of the court to preserve, protect and defend. If, therefore, the executive had undertaken, which we think he did not mean to do, to extend the equity jurisdiction of the special judge, so as to embrace the adjudication of any legal right, such action would have been void, for the want of a provision for a trial by jury.
It was as easy to have created a court of law, with power to adjudicate legal rights, as to establish this court of equity. The power was the same. Indeed the whole jurisdiction might have been bestowed upon the same tribunal. The omission to do so is itself very significant; and no argument can be raised from it in favor of extending by construction the powers of the equity judge. Giving these powers the largest latitude contended for, and they would then embrace only a limited class of persons, and but a very small portion of the subjects of legal and equitable jurisprudence, leaving creditors, generally, wholly without any remedy.
The ordinance of the State convention, as has been shown, merely recognizes the existence of the special courts, for the purpose of subjecting them to the controlling supervision of tbis court. It does not undertake to create tbem, nor to define their powers, nor to ratify the action of the governor in establishing them. It assumes that they already existed by lawful authority, with whatever jurisdiction they were empowered rightfully to exercise. What that jurisdiction was we have attempted to explain, and we have shown that it was not intended to give them any power to adjudicate legal rights, but only such cases of equity cognizance as were enumerated in the acts by which they were instituted. The convention did not deal with their jurisdiction, to enlarge, restrain, or confirm it.
If the right to take cognizance of cases like the present, depends at all upon this ordinance, we do not think the jurisdiction can derive any support from it. In addition to the views presented as to the intention apparent upon the face of the acts creating the courts, and of the ordinance recognizing them, which appear to us to be conclusive of the question, there is another argument of much force against giving the ordinance the construction contended for. If it is to have the effect of conferring upon the court the powers claimed for it, then the convention must be understood to have intended the creation of a state comt, for the settlement of legal rights, in which the trial by jury should not be admitted.
When we consider that the same convention, at the same moment, put forth a constitution for the state, containing, in its first chapter, a " Declaration of Rights," in which is embodied the provisions, common to the constitutions of all the States, as well as that of the Union, that "the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate," and that this declaration of rights concludes with the emphatic assertion, that everything therein contained "is excepted out of the general powers of government, and shall forever remain inviolate, and that all laws contrary thereto-shall be void," we cannot suppose that the convention intended, by a collateral ordinance, remedial in its character, and of the nature of an act of ordinary legislation, to violate the fundamental principle which they had so solemnly incorporated as a. part of the organic law. On the contrary we must infer, that the convention regarded these courts as possessing no powers which, in their legitimate exercise, would deny to any citizen the enjoyment of this venerated and inestimable mode of trial.
¥e are therefore clearly of opinion that the case under consideration was not a proper one for relief in a court of equity, and that the petition ought to have been dismissed.
Apart from the views before expressed, we think that, upon the facts of the case, the decree of the court below was erroneous.
The evidence was conflicting in some respects, but upon a careful review of it, we are satisfied that the appellee purchased seventy-five bales of cotton, out of a lot of ninety-one bales, then under a particular shed on the appellant's plantation; and that there was endorsed upon the bill of sale an agreement, signed by appellee, that if the cotton should be burned by military authority on either side, the appellee should bear the loss. The cotton was not to be delivered until shipments could be made. After making extensive purchases of cotton in the neighborhood, on similar conditions as to delivery, the appellee went into the Federal lines, and shortly after returned with a portion of the Federal Marine Brigade, which he guided in a raid through that vicinity, visiting the plantations, and demanding the delivery of cotton from some of those who had sold to him, and actually seizing and carrying away a portion of it. These facts coming to the knowledge of General Adams, he caused all the remaining cotton whieh the appellee had purchased, to be burned. At the appellant's place, seventy-five bales were rolled out from under the shed, by order of the Confederate officer, and were burned as the property of appellee. Subsequently appellee came again, backed by the same military force, and seized and carried away the sixteen bales remaining under the shed, and also twenty-three other bales from another spot. It is true he testifies that this cotton was afterwards restored to appellant, and that he did not obtain the benefit of it; but the testimony clearly proves that the facts are otherwise. By his acts of open hostility, and his efforts to violate the laws and policy of the Confederate Government, he was the active cause of the destruction of the entire quantity he had bought out of tbe lot of ninety-one bales, and be subsequently seized and appropriated the residue. Whether the separate title to any particular bales of this cotton is vested in appellee, is immaterial. By the statement of his petition, there was a complete sale of the seventy-five bales, and other circumstances go to show that such was the intention of the parties. But however that may be, the appellee haying agreed to bear the loss in case the cotton was burned, and having himself caused the destruction of a part, and having carried oif the remainder of the lot out of which his purchase was to be taken, and thereby put it out of the power of appellant to comply with her contract, he has no claim now to a decree against her for a specific performance.
The decree of the court below will be reversed, and the petition of the appellee dismissed, without prejudice, at his costs in both courts.