Leonard v. House

By the Court. Starnes J., delivering the opinion. [1.] The contract with Abner M. House was, that the plaintiffs in error, would pay him what the bridge should he reasonably worth, or the value to ho assessed by Godwin or Bates.. In our judgment, the effect of such a contract is, that if the partios could not agree upon what the bridge was reasonably worth, the matter should be submitted to the arbitrament and award of Godwin or Bates. And this latter stipulation being in the nature of a parol agreement, to refer the question to arbitration, is of course subject to the incidents of such an agreement. One of these is, the right of either party to revoke the same, at any time before award; or before the submission ivas made a rule of Court. It would be the right of either party to revoke such naked authority, even if the submission had been technically formal and complete, and we see not why it should' not be so, under the facts presented by this record. Assignees of Rhodes and Justamond vs. Gratrix, (7 East. 608.) Oliver vs. Collings, [475] (11. East 367.) Clapman vs. Higham, (1 Bingh. 87. Tidd. Pr. 823. 824.) We think, therefore, that looking upon the agreement of the parties to refer the value of the construction of this bridge to the assessment of Godwin or Bates, as a sort of parol submission to arbitrament and award, the course pursued by the defendant in error, as shown by this refeord, is to be regarded as tantamount to a revocation of this feature in the 'agreement; and that he has the right to prosecute another remedy. [2.] It may also be added, that it has been generally held, that an agreement, to refer matters in dispute to arbitration, will not be a good.defence to a suit brought, concerning such matters. On this subject, in Thompson vs. Charnock, (8 T. R. 139,) Lord Kenyon says, it has been decided, “again and again, that an agreement to refer all matters in difference, to arbitration, is not sufficient to oust the Courts of Law or Equity of their jurisdiction.” See also, Kill vs. Hollister. (1 Wils, 129.) On this general principle, thus stated by Lord Kenyon, such an agreement does not oust the Court of jurisdiction, if the party appeal to it, as this party has done. If, then, the defendant in error has revoked his consent to the arbitration, or has sought the jurisdiction of. a higher authority, to determine the matter in dispute, he is entitled to ask and have what his work and labor was reasonably worth. And wo cannot very far err, when we give to the case a direction which ensures this measure' of justice. [3.] Proof of demand and refusal, in such a case, is necessary, before the mandamus will be absolutely issued, as insisted by the counsel for plaintiff in error. Such proof, or that which is equivalent to it, we have in this record; for the petition avers demand and refusal; and the demurrer to the proceeding, of course, admits the fact. Lot the judgment be affirmed.