Case Name: Biggers' Administrator v. Alderson
Court: Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia
Jurisdiction: Virginia
Decision Date: 1806-10-17
Citations: 1 Hen. & M. 54
Docket Number: 
Parties: Biggers’ Administrator v. Alderson.
Judges: JUDGE) LYONS concurring, judgment was entered accordingly.
Reporter: Virginia Reports
Volume: 11
Pages: 35–39

Head Matter:
Biggers’ Administrator v. Alderson.
Friday, October 17, 1806.
Demurrer to Evidence— Unconditional Verdict. — On a demurrer to evidence, an unconditional verdict is not error, provided the demurrer be after-wards determined by the Court,
Detinue — Verdict -Alternative Value. — In detinue the Jury may exceed the prices of the slaves laid in the declaration.
Deeds-Relinquishment of Rig-ht by Grantee — Parol Evidence — Under particular circumstances, parol evidence of continued possession on the part of the grantor and the grantee’s acknowledgment of his right maybe given in evidence, for the Jury to presume against a deed, that the grantee has relinquished or reconveyed his right.
Detinue — What Evidence Sufficient to Prove Possession. — Semble, that in detinue, where a demurrer to evidence states that the defendant in support of his right offered a bill of sale, and no other evidence of the defendant’s possession is mentioned, that is sufficient to prove the said possession.
Demurrer to Evidence — Unconditional Verdict —in Green v. P. W. & Ky. R. R. Co., 11 W. Va. 691, after citing the principal case to the point that, on a demurrer to evidence, an unconditional verdict is not error, provided the demurrer be afterwards determined by the court, Judge HayííONjd, who delivered the opinion of the courb. said: “This, I think, is reasonable and good law; but it is clearly deducible from it, that it would be error in the court to render judgment, upon the verdict regardless of the demurrer to evidence. The verdict being conditional when rendered, remains so until proper action is taken by the court upon the demurrer, and judgment is rendered or it is set aside.*’
See further, monographic note on “Demurrer to the Evidence” appended to Tutt v. Slaughter, 6 Gratt. 864.
Exception to Evidence —Effect Thereon of a Demurrer to Evidence. — In Dishazer v. Maitland. 12 Leigh 524, it is held that, where an exception is taken to the admission of evidence, and then there is a demurrer to all the evidence including that mentioned in the exception, the demurrer does not waive the exception. Judge AigiEN, who delivered the opinion of the court, in discussing the question, said that Judge Tucker, in the principal case, considered the demurrer to the evidence as a waiver of the exceptions to the evidence, but that he cited no authority to sustain the proposition and that the other members of the court said nothing as to the point. Later in his opinion, Judge Auden, referring again to the principal case, said (p. 588): “The only case therefore which looks like an authority, is the case of Biggers' Adm'r v. Alderson, 1 Hen, & M. 54. And there the question, in truth, did not arise. The defendant first offered improper testimony; the plaintiff, to counteract it, offered evidence equally inadmissible, to which the defendant excepted; and then the defendant demurred. Judge Tuokek, in reviewing the case, shows that upon the whole evidence, excluding the improper evidence offered by the plaintiff to rebut the illegal evidence of the defendant, and giving to the defendant the beneiit oí his illegal testimony, the plaintiff was entitled to a judgment: and the other judges concurred. The questions arising upon both exception and demurrer were argued; nothing was said about one being a waiver of the other. The judge, it is true, said the demurrer was a waiver oi the bill of exceptions; but it is manifest this was a loose expression not well considered. His attention was not drawn to the question, or the distinction between the two proceedings. For he* remarks, that on a demurrer to the evidence, the court might disregard what was impertinent to the issue, or otherwise, inadmissible; thus confounding one with the other, for if upon the demurrer the court will disregard inadmissible testimony, there would be no necessity for the exception. But the bill of exceptions is the act of one party, and denies the admissibility of the evidence tendered: the demurrer is the act of both, and presents the question of the sufficiency of the evidence received. The expression of the judge is a mere dictum, not entitled to the weight of an authority.*’
Bee further, monographic note on “Demurrer to the Evidence” appended to Tutt v. Slaughter, 5 Gratt 364.
On the subject of demurrer to evidence, the principal case was also cited in Green v. Judit, 5 Rand. 14. 24.
Detinue — Verdict—Alternative Value. — in Austin v. Jones, Gilm. 344, which was an action of detinue, Judge Ooai/ter said: “I had at first doubted, whether it was not error for the jury to íind a greater value than that laid in the declaration; but I iind it otherwise settled in Biggers' Adm'r v. Alderson, 1 Hen. & M. 54, in which case the court also expressly says, the value is to be fixed at the time of the verdict. Why? because the value may have increased, even beyond the plaintiff’s own estimate when he sued; in fact the court there say. it is not important that the value should be laid in the dec laration (I presume this Is intended after verdict) because tbe j ury are to fix tbe real value at tbe time of tbe verdict. But if they are to give tbe plaintiff tbe increased value at that time, they cannot take an anterior date, so as to fix a greater value on the defendant, when he cannot go back to an anterior date so as to establish a less value.” But, in the same case, Judge Roane, in bis opinion, said: "It has been argued that you must receive this evidence, as at tbe time of the verdict, because that time is the criterion as to settling the alternative value This has never been solemnly established by this court, nor would the inference clearly result from it, if it had. In the case of Biggers’ Adm’r v. Alderson (1 Hen. & M. 54), Judge Carrington, in deed gave this as his opinion, but the other judges were silent on the subject; and the judgment which was given in that case did not affirm this principle. For any thing appearing in that case, the value was settled at an anterior time, — and at the time of suing out the writ. As for the English decisions they are so scanty on the action of detinue, that I can ñnd in them nothing decisive on this point. It is arguing in a circle to say, that unless this be the rule, the plaintiff would get too little for his property. He would so, in relation to a subject of increasing value; but it may be retorted that he would get too much in relation to a subject of a contrary character; and as to a subject of stable value, it is immaterial which rule is to prevail.”
See further, monographic note on "Detinue and Replevin" appended to Hunt v. Martin, 8 Gratt. 578.
Appellate Practice — Judgment Twice Reversed.— Where the judgment of a district court reversing that of a county court, is not in its nature final, but remands the cause for further proceedings, and the subsequent judgment of the county court is also reversed by the district court, the court of appeals, if the original judgment of the county court be correct, will reverse all the subsequent judgments, and affirm that. Lyons v. Gregory, 3 Hen. & M. 237, 244. citing the principal case, Robinson v. Gaines, 3 Call 243, and Fisher v. Duncan, 1 Hen. & M. 574, 577, as authority for its decision.
And in Jones v. Raine, 4 Rand. 390. on the authority of the principal case, Knox v. Garland, 2 Call 243, Fisher v. Duncan, 1 Hen. & M. 563, and Lyons v. Gregory, 3 Hen. & M. 237, it is held that.where a judgment of a county court is appealed from, and reversed and sent back for a new trial, by tb e superior court, from which judgment of'reversal, there is appeal to the court of appeals, and before bond and security are given on this appeal, the cause goes back to the county court, is again reversed by the superior court, and a second appeal taken to the court of appeals, on this last appeal, it is competent for the last-named court to enquire into the propriety of the first judgment. To the same effect, see the principal case cited in Horrill v. M’Alexander, 3 Rand. 102.
See further, monographic note on Appeal and Error” appended to Hill v. Salem, etc., Turnpike Co., 1 Rob. 263.

Opinion:
This was an action of detinue brought hy Alderson v. Biggers, for sundry slaves, in the County Court of Lunenburg.
At the trial of the cause, on the plea of non detinet, before any evidence had been heard on the part of the plaintiff, the defendant introduced a copy, attested by the clerk of Lunenburg Court, of a bill of sale from the plaintiff, conveying several of the slaves in question to a certain Joseph Smith; under a clause in whose last will and testament the defendant claimed them ; which copy was permitted by the Court to go as evidence to the jury — it was dated the 28th of December, 1784, attested by Tommy Biggers (the defendant himself) and Peggy Biggers, his wife, and recorded at Lunen-burg January Court, 1785, being proved by the oath of "one of the witnesses thereto;" but the certificate of the clerk does not mention which. The plaintiff filed a bill of exceptions to the Court's opinion, and moreover offered parol testimony to prove-an implied verbal release by Joseph Smith, of the right claimed by him by virtue of the-said bill of sale; to the admission of which testimony the defendant objected, but the Court overruled the objection, "because the original deed was not produced." The defendant thereupon *excepted to the opinion of the Court, and moreover demurred to all the plaintiff's evidence; the substance of which was that, at sundry times, from the year 1789, to the-year 1795, Joseph Smith declared "that the negroes in question belonged to Alderson; that the bill of sale he had taken for them was worth nothing; that Alderson was addicted to drinking; that he owed about 201. and that the bill of sale was executed to-prevent the negroes from being taken to pay the said debt, being intended for the benefit of Rachel (meaning Alderson's wife, who was Smith's sister) and her children that William Cowan had threatened to make him sell them to pay himself, (the said Smith,) but that he did not know that Al-derson owed him one farthing ; for he had done a great deal of work for himself and his sons, and they had never had a settlement; but he hired the negroes to him for a blind, and that would stop all their mouths:" that Lydia, (one of the negroes,) and the rest, who were her children, had remained in the plaintiff's possession, from the time when the bill of sale was executed, until the year 1794; and had been regularly listed to him in the books of the commissioners of the revenue from 1785 to 1794.
The above was all the evidence on the part of the plaintiff, and none was introduced by the defendant, except the aforesaid copy of the bill of sale. The demurrer being tendered, the plaintiff joined therein ; whereupon the Jury found a general and unconditional verdict for the plaintiff for the negroes in the declaration mentioned, stating their respective values at higher rates than those mentioned in the declaration, and 501. damages for detention. The demurrer was afterwards argued, and overruled by the Court, and judgment entered for the plaintiff; from which the defendant appealed to the District Court, where all the proceedings back to the joining of issue were reversed, without assigning any cause in the record for the reversal, and the suit retained for trial at the District Court bar. A verdict and judgment were entered for the plaintiff, from which Biggers appealed to this Court; where the appeal abated by his death, and was revived by his administrator.
Randolph and Stuart, for the appellant, made the following points:
1. That the County Court erred in admitting parol evidence, which went to the total destruction of the bill of sale; or to prove it to have been intended as a mortgage. *'2. That Alderson was estopped, in a Court of Law, from alleging anything in contradiction of his own deed; which being, moreover, executed with a view to defraud creditors, ought to be binding on him; and should prevent him from obtaining relief even in a Court of Equity.
3. That the hiring of the negroes by Smith to Alderson, was an evidence that there was no adverse possession iri the latter, (for his possession was that of Smith's,) and prevented Alderson from acquiring a title by length of possession.
4. That the price of the negroes having been fixed higher in the verdict than stated in the declaration, it could not be sustained. On this point the case of Custice and Posey, in the old general Court, was mentioned.
Hay, Munford and Geo. K. Taylor for the appellee, contended, 1. That the County Court decided correctly in admitting the parol evidence to prove the release. 2. That the judgment on the demurrer was correctly pronounced in the plaintiff's favour.
In support of the first point, they argued, that a man, who has executed a bill of sale or mortgage for slaves, may afterwards acquire a complete title to them without a deed, since slaves may be transferred by delivery only ; that the uninterrupted possession by the plaintiff for more than five 3'ears, and Smith's acknowledgments of his right, were sufficient for the jury to presume a release or reconveyance; and that the Court might even have instructed the Jury to presume a release,
On the second point they insisted that by a demurrer to evidence, the defendant not only admits the facts stated, but every rational inference which a Jury might deduce from them; that the Court therefore had a right to infer the release or reconveyance, as the Jury might have done; that the bill of sale having been executed to secure a debt from Alderson to Smith, who acknowledged that he had received payment, he could thereupon be a trustee *only, and could not set up the trust, even at common law, to defeat the claim of his cestui que trust,
In answer to the second point made by the appellant's counsel, they observed that estoppels are odious in law, and ought net to be encouraged; that they ought to be •regularly pleaded and not relied on by way of evidence ; on the question of fraud, they said that the bill of sale was not executed by Alderson with a fraudulent intention ; that he did not owe at the time more than 201. except to Smith; that Smith might honestly have taken the bill of sale to secure himself; but that whatever his intentions were, it does not appear {hat Al-derson was accessary to any improper plan, there being no proof to that effect, except what resulted from Smith's assertions; that if the bill of sale was a voluntary conveyance to prevent the property from being lost by the drinking and imprudence of Al-derson, it was not therefore void, since "every volunlary conveyance is not fraudulent, but, if there was a reasonable cause for making it, may be good even against "creditors;" but if it be admittted that the bill of sale was fraudulent, the principle that a man cannot come into Court, claiming against a deed executed by himself with a fraudulent view, does not apply to this case, because Alderson relied on his length of possession and Smith's acknowledgments; and Biggers, the defendant, cannot say the bill of sale was fraudulent, because he claims under it himself; that the principle moreover applies only to cases of equal guilt in both parties, not to those where fraud is not intended by the donor, but by the donee onlj'; that in such cases the donor may set aside the deed on the ground of the fraud and parol evidence is admissible to prove such fraud, (this being a matter extrinsic,) though not to change the terms of the deed, or to contradict it; that, even if Alderson was particeps criminis, his remaining in possession gave him a right, which would have prevented Smith or Big-gers from recovering in an action against him, and that the wrong committed by Big-gers in taking possession of the slaves could not give him a better title than he had before.
In answer to the third point, they contended that, in the County Court record, there was no proof of the hiring of the slaves to Alderson but Smith's own assertions; and, as to the fourth point, that the difference between the prices stated in the declaration, and those found by the Jury, is unimportant; that the plaintiff could not fix those ^prices in his declaration, but this was afterwards to be done by the jury: and, where a suit is long depending, the values of young negroes will necessarily greatly increase by the time of the verdict; that 10 Cc. Rep. 117 b. states, that in detinue the jury may give greater damages than are laid in the declaration, because the declaration continues, and the damages sustained by the plaintiff must be increased during the pendency of the suit; the reason of which rule applies to this case; that it is sufficient that the identity of the slaves, mentioned in the verdict, with those in the declaration, be ascertained — and that the jury here had found for the plaintiff "the slaves in the declaration mentioned," stating their names, which exactly correspond.
Randolph, in reply, cited Meres v. Ansel, 3 Wils. 275, to shew that parol evidence cannot be admitted to annul a deed on the ground *hat it was invalid in its origin, or became so by matter subsequent. If the deed was intended as a mortgage, or trust, it must appear so upon its face. The case from 1 Esp. 223, relates only to bonds, which, in their nature are defeazable, but not to absolute deeds; and evidence cannot be adduced to convert the latter into the former, To be like the present case, it must be shewn that to an absolute bond, some condition not specified on the face of it may be annexed; but was such proof ever admitted at law? It is said that a release may be inferred, and various instances of similar presumptions have been mentioned ; but they all presupposed the existence of a trust. The Court improperly judged of the weight of evidence, by deciding that there was an implied parol release. Even a writing, to operate as such, must be so expressed: it cannot be implied; nor can the loose conversations of Smith supply its place. If they prove any thing, it is that Alderson held as trustee for his own wife and children, and therefore cannot avail himself of the act of limitation.
The various authorities relative to estop-pels apply to cases only where the plaintiff, having an estoppel against the defendant, had failed to plead it; and gone to trial on the general issue. In such cases the plaintiff could not rely on the estoppel, as he had not pleaded it, and parol evidence was admissible in opposition to it; but no authority can be produced, which renders it necessary for the defendant to plead specially an estoppel. In this case, if he had pleaded it, and the plaintiff had re-plied "per fraudem," *the defendant might have demurred; because the plaintiff was' barred by his own solemn deed.
He also adduced two new points, viz. 1. That the verdict was absolute, and not conditional, as it ought to have been, upon a demurrer to evidence; and, 2. That the Jury had found the prices of the negroes, and damages for their detention, without any evidence before them.
Hay, as to the two new points, was about to argue the first, when it was relinquished by Mr. Randolph, who said he admitted, that on a demurrer to evidence, the verdict is necessarily to be considered as conditional. On the second, Hay observed that there was evidence stated in the demurrer, from which the jury might have inferred the values of the slaves, and estimated the damages for their detention. The commissioners' books proved their ages, and several witnesses stated that they were young and likely. Besides, it was usual for Juries to find such a value as would compel the delivery of- the specific thing, but not to estimate it with as much accuracy as they would in case of a purchase. The time when Alderson's possession ceased, (viz. after Smith's death, in 1795,) appeared in evidence; and, therefore, the jury were enabled to calculate their profits, and ascertain the damages for their detention.
Curia advisare vult.
Tuesday, October 21. The Judges delivered their opinions.
JUDGE TUCKER.
The sole difficulty in this case seems td be attributable to an irregularity on the part of the defendant, in the outset of the trial in the County Court.' — without waiting to hear the plaintiff's evidence upon the plea of non detinet, which was the general issue in the cause, he first obtrudes upon the Court his own; viz. a copy of a deed made to one Smith, (under whose will he claims the negroes,) in 1874, to which himself and his wife were the only subscribing witnesses; and then moves the Court to reject the plaintiff's evidence of an uninterrupted possession of the slaves for twelve years before the death of Smith, who never appears to have been in possession of them. The plaintiff has an undoubted right, upon the general issue, to prefer his evidence first; then the defendant's is to be heard in avoidance of it; and if the plaintiff can offer anything consistent with the rules of law to rebut it, he is then to be permitted to do so. Had this course been pursued, the evidence would have stood thus.
*The plaintiff proved an uninterrupted possession of the slaves in himself, from 1784 to 1795. To repel this, the defendant produces a copy of an absolute bill of sale for the slaves made by the plaintiff to Smith, (under whom he claims,) in consideration of 1501. in hand paid; which had been proved and recorded in 1784: to rebut which, the plaintiff offers viva voce testimony, that Smith had, on divers occasions, declared he had no title to the negroes; which was objected to, but admitted by the Court, because the original deed was not produced in Court. After-wards, the defendant demurs to the evidence, and thus brings into view of this court the evidence objected to, which is not such as it had been described in the bill of exceptions. If this course had been pursued, there could have been little doubt in the breasts, either of the Jury, had the cause been left to them, or of the Court, upon the demurrer. Eor the Jury would have been possessed of the material parts of the pl'aintiff's evidence; viz. his long and uninterrupted possession of the slaves during the life of Smith; and the only point for their consideration would have been, whether they ought not to presume a re-transfer and sale of the negroes to the plaintiff, inconsequence of such possession, notwithstanding a copy of an old deed recorded twelve years before; the original not being produced, ncr proved to have been, lost, (which ought to have been done, before admitting the copy, when objected to,). and might therefore be presumed, upon the circumstances shew-n in evidence, to have been delivered up to the plaintiff, or cancelled. No deed is necessary in case of a re-transfer and sale, where possession accompanies the transfer. The Jury, therefore, might hate concluded, upon the evidence before them, that such a re-transfer and sale actually took place. And it is now settled, that the Court may draw the same conclusions upon a demurrer to evidence, which admits the truth, but denies the sufficiency of the evidence to maintain the issue on the part of the plaintiff.
Had there been no demurrer to evidence, I should have thought the County Court erred in admitting the evidence stated in the bill of exceptions to have been offered by the plaintiff. But the whole evidence, being inserted in the demurrer, appears different from the description of it, (lor it is not stated verbatim,) in the bill of exceptions : and by the demurrer, the consideration of the evidence objected to was drawn from the Jury to the Court, who might disregard what was impertinent to the ffissue, or otherwise inadmissible; which a Jury, perhaps, would not. The error, if any, was, therefore, cured by the demurrer; which must be considered as a waiver of the bill of exceptions, as to the evidence objected to.
Upon considering the evidence stated in the demurrer in this manner, I have no difficulty in saying the County Court decided upon it properly, and that the judgment of the District Court reversing that decision was erroneous, and ought to be reversed, and the judgment of the County Court affirmed.
JUDGE) CARRINGTON.
I am of opinion, that the County Court decided properly upon the demurrer to evidence; of course, that its judgment upon the verdict of the Jury was regular. The defendant did not move for a new trial, but contented himself with an appeal to the District Court. That Court reversed the judgment, without stating any reason for so doing; and it is presumable they did so, because the record furnished none.
The objection that the slaves were valued higher by the Jury than the price laid in the declaration, is no error. If the plaintiff had stated a higher value than the real worth, that ought not to have governed the Jury. They were to fix the value, at the time of their verdict, as it appeared from the evidence before them. In the case of Taff v. Irby, before the General Court, in March term, 1779, no value was laid: the exception was taken, and the case was fully argued: the Court determined the omission was immaterial, and gave judgment upon the Jury's verdict. I now consider the value laid in the declaration, or even if there had been no value laid, as matters of no importance.
I am of opinion that the judgment and proceedings of the District Court ought to be reversed, and that of the County Court affirmed.
JUDGE) LYONS concurring, judgment was entered accordingly.
The case of Custice & Posey, was said to have been this. In detinue for a horse and three cows, the jury found a verdict for the horse, at a price higher than that stated in the declaration, and for two of the cows, omitting the third. On the argument of the cause in the old .general Court, two points were insisted on; first, the variance between the declaration and verdict as to the price of the horse, and. secón dijo the insufficiency of the verdict in not finding upon the whole issue. But the Court of Appeals, in their decision of the case of Butler v. Parks. (1 wash. 76.) referring to the case of Custice & Posey, seem to consider it as ha v* nit been determined on the second point only; that is, the insufficiency of the verdict, no notice being taken of the variance between the declaration and verdict.— Note in Original Edition.
Cowp. 46, per Bohd MAN.si'iELDin Goodtitle, ex-dem. Hart v. Knott, Doug. 72:2, S. P. per Im. Maxs-jpibIíI) in Doe. lessee of Gibbons v. Pott and others. Esp. N. P. 457, 458 ; Cowp. 104; Mayor of Kingston upon Hull y. Horner: Ibid. 014, Eldridge v. Knott, and others; Ibid. 217; Doe, ex. dem. Pishar and wife, &c. y. Prosser. See also on the doctrine of presumptions, Peak's L. Et. 3d edit. p. 20-25.
7 Term Rep. 2 Doe, on dem.; Bowerman v. .Sybourn.
Co) SWash. 203, Stephens v. White.
CoWp. Doug, and Esp. supra.
Co. Lilt. 227 a.; Hob. 207; Speake v. Richards, 10 Vin. 415, 423, 453. 454, 482.
13 Vin. Abr. 530, 531, pl. 6, Mod. 119, Lord Tenham v. Mullins.
Esp. N. P. 223, cites Collins v. Blantern, 2 Wils. 341. 347, &c.
Pilford's case.
3 Tuck. Bl. 152.
1 Term Rep. 619-621, winch, v. Keely.
wash. 14; Ross v. Norveil; Day's Cases in Error. 139, Washburn v. Merrills, S. P.
a) Cowp. 600. 601, per Loan in Good-title, ex dem. Edwards v. Bailey.