Blankenship v. Lanier , 212 Ala. 60 ( 1924 )

A plea averring that the allegations of the complaint are untrue, even in an action on a written contract, is a plea of the general issue merely, does not put in issue the execution of the instrument sued on, and need not be verified by oath. L. N. R. R. Co. v. Trammell, 93 Ala. 350, 9 So. 870, overruling M. M. Ry. Co. v. Gilmer, 85 Ala. 422, 5 So. 138, and E. A. Ins. Co. v. Osborn, 90 Ala. 201, 9 So. 869, 13 L.R.A. 267; Stull v. Daniel Mach. Co., 207 Ala. 544, 93 So. 583. The trial court properly overruled the demurrer to the plea of the general issue.

The general rule defining the liability of a covenantor in cases like this was declared in Clark v. Zeigler, 79 Ala. 346, where it was held that, when there is no failure of title to any part of the land, but there is an incumbrance on a portion of the tract, created by a prior conveyance of the right to enter and cut all the "saw timber," the measure of damages is the diminished value of the entire tract, not exceeding the entire purchase money paid, with interest. In that case, however, the prior grantee of the timber right had in fact entered and cut and removed 320 trees within the time allowed for doing so.

The covenant against incumbrances, as often declared, is a covenant in præsenti, and is broken as soon as made, if there is an outstanding paramount title, or any existing charge, burden, or interest diminishing the value or enjoyment of the land. Sayre v. Sheffield, etc., Co., 106 Ala. 440, 18 So. 101; Copeland v. McAdory, 100 Ala. 553,13 So. 545. But where such paramount title is acquired by the covenantor and inures to the benefit of the covenantee, before any action is brought for the breach, and, equally, where such incumbrance is thus removed by the covenantor, or is terminated by its own limitations or by operation of law, though there has been a technical breach of the covenant, giving rise to a right of action thereon, yet, having acquired the unincumbered title contracted for, the covenantee can recover no more than nominal damages. Sayre v. Sheffield, etc., Co., 106 Ala. 440, 447, 18 So. 101; 7 Rawle C. L. 1178, § 98; 15 Corp. Jur. 1326 (section 231). Ordinarily, collateral or consequential damages are not recoverable. Copeland v. McAdory,100 Ala. 553, 13 So. 545; 15 Corp. Jur. 1319 (section 223).

But plaintiff invokes, and seeks to apply to this case, the principle applicable to breaches of contract in general, viz. that when there are special circumstances, known to the parties, by reason of which a breach of the contract by one will probably deprive the other party of some special benefit or advantage contemplated at the time of its making, then such a loss or deprivation, though collateral in character, and not ordinarily a subject for compensation, may be included in the damages recoverable. Bixby-Theirson Lumber Co. v. Evans,167 Ala. 431, 52 So. 843, 140 Am. St. Rep. 47, 29 L.R.A. (N.S.) 194; 7 Corp. Jur. 746 (section 77). But even in such a case there must be presented a reliable basis for an approximately accurate estimation in money of the amount of the damage suffered.

Hence, it has been generally, and we think correctly, held that "the gains or profits of collateral enterprises or subcontracts are, as a rule, too speculative and contingent to afford an element of recovery in the case of a breach of the primary contract." 17 Corp. Jur. 793 (section 115), and the numerous cases cited under note 82. Our own cases sustain this view. Reed Lumber Co. v. Lewis, 94 Ala. 627, 10 So. 333; Dickerson v. Finley, 158 Ala. 149, 48 So. 548. The only exception seems to be that "the loss of profits from the destruction or interruption of an established business may be recovered for, if the amount of actual loss is rendered reasonably certain by competent proof; but in all such cases it must be made to appear that the business which is claimed to have been interrupted was an established one, and that it had been successfully conducted for such a length of time, and had such a trade established, that the profits thereof are reasonably ascertainable." 17 Corp. Jur. 795-797 (section 117), and cases cited under note 95. And "where a new business or enterprise is floated and damages by way of profit are claimed for its interruption or prevention, they will be denied, for the reason that such business is an adventure, as distinguished from an established business, and its profits are speculative and remote, existing only in anticipation." Id., 797 (section 118).

We think that this principle is applicable here, and that there can be no recovery of damages based on the mere delay in cutting imposed by the incumbrance complained of.

"The general rule is not affected by the fact that the land was bought for a particular purpose, which was known to the vendor, and that the failure of title to a portion of it renders it useless for such purpose." 15 Corp. Jur. 1322 (section 224) — citing Hoot v. Spade, 20 Ind. 326; Phillips v. Reichert, 17 Ind. 120, 79 Am. Dec. 463.

The case of Fraser v. Bentel, 161 Cal. 390, 119 P. 509, Ann. Cas. 1913B, 1062, cited by appellant, can hardly be regarded as an authority to the contrary. It holds that the profits of a collateral enterprise, or from resales, are too remote to be recovered as damages for breach of a covenant against incumbrances on land (the incumbrance being a restriction upon the use of firearms on the premises), "at any rate, in the absence of a showing that defendant was informed of the grantee's purpose of resale." In that case, it must be noted, also, that the incumbrance was not removed and was perpetual, and that the court had before it a statutory prescription for the measure of damages for the breach of contractual obligations.

It is to be observed, with respect to that portion of count 2 which was stricken on defendant's motion, that, while it alleges that the land was heavily timbered, and that defendant was informed that plaintiff was buying the land for the immediate manufacture of the timber into lumber, or its immediate sale, and that plaintiff was by this incumbrance deprived of the right, and was unable to do so, until the expiration of the paramount outstanding right, yet there is no allegation of resulting damage, and no claim for damages therefor.

Special damage must be specifically averred, and averments which show merely an enforced delay in contemplated action, with no suggestion of resulting damage, will not authorize either proof or recovery of special damages. B. R., L. P. Co. v. Colbert, 190 Ala. 229, 236 (5, 6), 67 So. 513.

In this aspect of the matter, the stricken allegation must be regarded as surplusage merely, whose presence in the complaint was of no value, and whose elimination was not prejudicial.

The trial judge, under the principles above recited, correctly instructed the jury that only nominal damages could be recovered for the breach of covenant shown; and properly refused to allow plaintiff to show by evidence what was the difference in the value of the land with and without the incumbrance.

Finding no error, the judgment will be affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and THOMAS and BOULDIN, JJ., concur.