Case Name: Isaac Meason v. Samuel Philips
Court: Fayette County Court
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1797-09
Citations: 1 Add. 346
Docket Number: 
Parties: Isaac Meason v. Samuel Philips.
Judges: 
Reporter: Addison
Volume: 1
Pages: 346–347

Head Matter:
Isaac Meason v. Samuel Philips.
BY articles of lease between them dated 30th January, 1793, Meason leased land to Philips for four years, at twelve shillings and sixpence per acre, which Philips covenanted to pay in good merchantable grain, wheat, at four shillings, rye, at three shillings, and corn, at two shillings and sixpence per bushel. And on this engagement Meason brought an action of covenant.
On the side of Philips, it was contended, that the damages should be ascertained by valuing the grain at the prices mentioned in the article. On the side of Meason, it was contended, that the damages should be ascertained by the current prices of the grain, at the time of delivery.

Opinion:
President.
Philips has bound himself to deliver grain; and Meason to receive this grain at certain prices. Grain, not money, was the object in the view of both; and money was only used to ascertain the quantity of grain. The chance of gain or loss must be mutual.—If grain had fallen in value, Philips would have gained; for if he had tendered grain, Meason could not have required money. If money has fallen in value or, in other words, if grain has risen in value, Meason must gain; for a tender of money does not excuse from the covenant to deliver grain. The damages therefore ought to be ascertained by valuing the grain at the current prices, at the time of delivery, with interest from that time.
Note.—Three other cases, one in the court of Common Pleas of Washington county, another in Fayette county, and the third in Allegheny county, have since been tried, and decided on the same principle, of giving, in damages, the increased value of the grain, with interest from the time of delivery.
The jury found accordingly; but not at the rate of the grain which had risen most. Probably they took the price of a part of each kind of grain.