Barrett v. Thorndike , 1 Me. 73 ( 1820 )

Mellen C. J.

The motion is that the verdict which has been given in this case for the plaintiff may be set aside and a new trial granted, on account of a misdirection of the Judge who sat in the trial of the cause. In the opinion of the Judge, the alteration made in the deed was immaterial, as having no legal effect in its construction ; but he instructed the jury that if they should believe the alteration to have been made by Molineaux, and fraudulently, it would render the deed void as to him and his heirs. Thorndike, however, did not claim to hold the lands as heir to Molineaux, but as a purchaser under his administrator ; but no notice seems to have been taken of this distinction in the trial of the cause. Admitting the opinion of the Judge to be correct as delivered, it would not follow that such alteration, with whatever intention made, would render the deed void as to Thorndike. Hence it becomes important to examine this point more closely.

As to the general effect produced by an alteration or erasure of a deed, bond, or other written instrument, the law has undergone some material changes. Ancient strictness has given place to more liberal and rational principles, and doctrines more consonant to sound common sense have gained the ascendancy.

In Pigot’s case, 11 Co. 27. it was decided that an immaterial alteration made by the grantor or obligee himself, avoids the deed or bond, unless by consent of the grantor or obligor. This appears to be a leading case on this subject.

In the case of Markham v. Gonaston, Cro. El. 626. the Court decided that the addition of a condition to a single bond, though for the benefit of the obligor, being done by the obligee, avoided the bond.

In 1 Shep. Abr. 541. it is stated thus: “ If a deed be altered by the party who holds it and claims under it, though in a part immaterial, it shall avoid the deed ; though the alteration be to his own disadvantage, and to the advantage of the grantor.”

in Shep. Touchstone, 69. the doctrine of Pigot’s case is laid down distinctly to be good law.

In the case of O’Neal v. Long, 4 Cranch. 60. it was contended by Mason in the argument, that the interlineation which had been made was not material; and, being made by a third person, without the privity of the obligee, did not avoid the bond. He cited Pigot’s case, and seemed to admit that if such alteration had been made by the obligee, it would have been fatal: and the Court seemed satisfied wfith the principle as thus stated.

Judge Story, in the case of Cutts plaintiff in error v. The United States, 1 Gall. 69. recognizes the principles of Pigot’s case, as to the effect of a material and an immaterial alteration, made by an obligee.

in the case of Smith v. Crooker & al. 5 Mass. 538. Chief Justice Parsons, in delivering the opinion of the Court also quotes Pigofs case as to the effect of a material alteration; and after-wards observes that “ an alteration by erasure or addition made by the obligee or a stranger, which will avoid a bond, must be in some material partand then he proceeds to shew the immateriality of the alteration which had been made in the bond in that case by the obligee, and concludes with judgment in favour of the bond.

Afterwards, in the case of Hunt v. Adams, 6 Mass. 521. the same Chief Justice observes, “ as to an alteration, it is an old rule that any alteration, whether material or not, in an instrument, made by the party to zchom it is given, shall avoid it, unless made by the consent of the party who executed it.” Here the strictness of the old rule is evidently approved.

In the case of Hatch v. Hatch, 9 Mass. 307. Chief Justice Semail, in delivering the opinion of the Court, observes,—“ In executory contracts, proveable by written instruments, the remedy is sometimes lost by the loss of the evidence ; and bonds and notes which have been altered in a material part by the obligee or payee, are no longer proof of an obligation or contract. This rule might possibly, though I doubt it, be extended in strictness, even at the present day, to alterations wholly immaterial, if made at the instigation of the party entitled by the instrument, although it were done innocently, and to no injurious purpose.”

Notwithstanding the changes which have taken place in the course of judicial decisions, as to the effect of tearing off a seal, and of erasures made under certain circumstances, and the mode of deciding as to this effect; still, as it regards the effect of an immaterial alteration, made by the obligee in a bond, the balance of authorities seems to be clearly in favour of the proposition that it avoids the bond, especially if made fraudulently; although our Courts, in some instances, have expressed doubts as to the principle, and manifested an inclination to escape from its operation, whenever the facts of the case could be found to warrant it.

But however we might decide the question if it arose upon an immaterial alteration, made in a bond or other contract by the obligee or with his privity, yet we are not called upon to decide this cause upon the principles applicable, to such a question ; as we consider the case of a deed of land, altered by a stranger, or even by the grantee himself, after its execution and delivery, as a case of a different nature; and on this distinction our opinion in the present action is founded.

It was admitted in the argument, though not stated in the report, that Molineaux entered into possession under his deed, as well as caused it to be recorded ; and that his administrator, by virtue of a license duly obtained, sold the land for payment of debts, and that the defendant purchased it. It becomes material, then, to inquire what effect the alteration made in the deed by Molineaux could produce as to his title.

A deed made by one having good and lawful right, and duly executed, delivered, and recorded, passes the estate to the grantee ;—he becomes seized of it. If the deed be lost, or destroyed, the title is not impaired ; and the grantee might maintain an action upon it, making profert of a copy. Reed v. Brookman, 3 D. & E. 151. If he had destroyed the deed himself, there would seem to be no effect produced, prejudicial to the title which had vested in the grantee by virtue of the deed. Surely then an immaterial alteration in such a deed, though fraudulently made, could not, in any manner, injure the title of Molineaux himself. His fraudulent intent could not reconvey the estate to the proprietors. We know of two methods only, in which he could voluntarily divest himself of the estate which had thus vested ; viz. by deed of reconveyance, or by will. It is true, if his deed had not been recorded, he might have /restored it to the Proprietors; and if this were done fairly and ^without impairing or intending to impair the rights of third per-II sons, the transaction might have been effectual, as between the • parties, to revest the estate in the Proprietors ; according to the principles laid down in the case of the Commonwealth v. Dudley, 10 Mass. 403.

In the case of Hatch v. Hatch before cited, an alteration was made in a deed by, or in presence of the grantee ; and the question as to its effect upon the deed was under examination. The Chief Justice, speaking of the principles of law applicable to erasures and alterations in bonds and contracts, observes,—“ But these rules have not the same operation where a title to real estate is in question. The cancelling of a deed will not divest the property, which has once vested by a transmutation of possession. A man’s title to his estate is not destroyed by the destruction of his deed. 2 H. Bl. 259. 10 Co. 92.”

But in the present case, if the alteration by Molineaux could divest the estate, then Thorndike, who had no knowledge of the fraud, would suffer by it, and this without any fault on his part. But we must look to still farther consequences. If an alteration by a grantee avoids his deed, it seems immaterial at what time the alteration is made; whether before or after he shall have sold and conveyed the estate to a third person. To give an alteration such an effect, would subject after-purchasers to loss of title, and lead to confusion. It would be contrary to the established principle, that a grantor cannot, by his own actions or declarations, defeat a deed which he has before made to one who is claiming and holding under it.

On the whole, we are satisfied that according to the principles of justice and sound policy, as well as to adjudged cases, the plaintiff is not entitled to retain the verdict which has been returned in his favour ; and it is therefore set aside, and a new trial granted.