Parlin v. Small

Peters, J. The claim set up by the plaintiffs was, that, in purchasing a farm, they were defrauded by the defendant conveying a less amount of land than was bargained and paid for by them when they took their deed. The plaintiffs getting the verdict, the defendant moves to set it aside. The plaintiffs did not rescind the bargain, but seek to maintain the deed with a parol variation that will make it as good as it would have been but for the alleged fraud, claiming damages for the deceit imposed upon them. They undertake to establish the alleged fraud entirely by their own testimony. Under these circumstances, what weight shall the oral testimony of parties to a suit have, to relieve themselves from the presumption of correctness that ordinarily attaches to a written instrument of such solemn and important nature as a deed ? No doubt, oral evidence from parties alone"may be sufficient to establish a fraud that will upset a deed. Put what shall the quantum and quality of it be ? In Wharton’s Ev. § 932, it is said : “ The evidence of fraud, in order to vacate a solemnly executed instrument, must be, it need scarcely be added, clear and strong; and this rule is the more important since the passage of the statute enabling parties to testify in their own cases.” In a note to the section cited, the author quotes from a Pennsylvania case as follows: “ Shars-wood, J., said : ‘It has more than once been decided that it is error to submit a question of fraud upon slight parol evidence to overturn a written instrument. The evidence of fraud must be clear, precise and indubitable, otherwise it should be withdrawn from the jury. Since parties are allowed to testify in their own behalf, it has become still more necessary that this important rule should be adhered to and enforced.’ ” The same views are expressed in as forcible terms by other authors and authorities. We concur in the doctrine thus strongly stated. Not that it is new. Our own decisions, in equity cases, have been to the same effect. Baker v. Vining, 30 Maine, 121. Peterson v. Grover, 20 Maine, 363. But, in view of the fact that questions of this kind are being more frequently agitated than they were before parties to the record were allowed to be witnesses, we think it well that [291] the policy of the law upon the subject should be again emphatically affirmed. A deed seen and read as this was is a wall of evidence against oral assaults, to begin with. It should not be battered down for alleged deceits or misunderstandings, unless the proof of them is clearly and abundantly established. The plaintiff must prevail, not only upon a preponderance of evidence, but such preponderance must be based upon testimony that is clear and strong, satisfactory and convincing. Burleigh v. White, 64 Maine, 23, 27. Another thing must be shown by the plaintiff, to enable him to recover. It must appear that he was reasonably free from fault or negligence himself. A person neglecting his own duty should not be beneiitted by his own neglect. For, in this way, he could often make a bargain to be bound by or not as he chose. Where objection is taken at the right moment, trouble to both parties may be avoided. A man has no right to neglect to examine a matter because he deems it of trifling or no importance to do so, and magnify it into importance afterwards, according as disappointment, resentment or caprice may instigate him. Especially is this so, where the dissatisfied party does not rescind a contract, but maintains it with all its profits and advantages, seeking to recover damages in addition thereto if he can. In such case, a plaintiff does not rim much risk to try his luck in a speculative action. He may gain. He can lose nothing but his costs. This principle is illustrated in a great variety of cases wherein a person cannot recover for an injury if his own fault or negligence directly and materially contributes thereto. ■ We are of opinion that the case should go to a jury again. Although the law was accurately stated by the learned judge at the trial, we are not satisfied that it was sufficiently regarded by the jury. Wew trial granted. Appleton, C. J., Walton, 'Daneoeth, Virgin and Libbey, JJ ., concurred.