Doe ex dem. Farmer's Heirs v. Mayor of Mobile

ORMOND, J. -When this case was before this' Court, at a previous term, we held, that the action of the officers of the Land Office, in relation to the boundary line, between the “ Bake-house lot,” and those of the adjoining proprietors, was not conclusive. That if a difficulty should arise as to the boundary, “ the precise location must be ascertained by testimony, showing where the south line was, when in the occupancy of the crown of Spain. Such as its limits then were, it passed by the treaty to the United States, and with these limits, it was granted to the corporation.” The only question therefore open for adjudication is, whether the evidence admitted was competent. The question to be decided by the jury, was, the precise location of the south boundary of the King’s bake-house lot, when in the occupancy of Spain; proof of facts therefore, by witnesses, where this line was, by reference to former, or existing monuments, as a well, and the remains of a picket fence, which once enclosed it, was certainly proper. It also appears, that when the grant was made to the corporation, in 1824, and they were about taking the necessary steps to obtain the possession, they understood that the heirs of Farmer’, had by permission, enlarged their boundaries, and taken in a part of the Bake-house lot, for the purpose of cultivation as a garden —that the corporation determined to resume the possession— that it was yielded to them by the person in possession, who represented himself to be, and was recognized generally, as the agent of the owners of the lot, who assented to the claim of the corporation, and permitted the fence to be removed to its original position. We can perceive no objection to this testimony. The permission to remove the fence, to what was supposed to be its original site, was in the nature of an admission, against the interest of the person then in its occupancy. This admission would [283] increase in strength, if made by the plaintiffs or their authorized agent. It would not then, be conclusive, as it might have been made inadvertently, or in ignorance of the facts ; but it was competent testimony, to go to the jury, who were the proper judges of the weight it was entitled to. It appears from the bill of exceptions, that the lot south of the King’s bake-house lot, being the one in dispute, was claimed, both by the heirs ofM. Eslava, and the plaintiff. That after possession was taken by the corporation, a portion of it was leased by the corporation to third persons, without objection, or suit, until the institution of this, from the heirs of Eslava, or the plaintiffs. This evidence, though not very conclusive, was certainly competent, upon a question of boundary, being the acquiesence of those interested, in opposing it, in the truth of the line, claimed by the corporation. Its effect was a question for the jury. The defendants were also permitted to read a deed, from one Fontanella, to JoaquimDe Orsono, made 1801, by which the lot south of the Bake-house lot, was conveyed by the former, to the latter, which calls for the Bake-house lot as the northern boundary — that Osorno, used and improved the lot, and parted with his possession to Eslava, whose heirs have been in possession for the last twelve years, contravening the right of Farmer’s heirs to the lot, and that their claim to the land in dispute, was never disputed by Eslava, or his heirs. The plaintiff objected to this testimony, and to the deed, in addition, that there was no proof, that it had ever been offered to any commissioner appointed under the acts of Congress for the adjustment of private land claims. From this testimony we understand, that the lot south of the “ King’s Bake-house lot,” is claimed both by the heirs of Eslava, and the heirs of Farmer. That the former deduce their title, from a deed in 1801, calling for the Bake-house lot, as their northern boundary, and that Eslava and his heirs have always admitted, the line between the two lots as claimed by the corporation, whilst the heirs of Farmer, are now insisting, that the line is situate, some thirty feet or more further north. This is certainly an admission which would be competent testimony against the heirs of Eslava, but is certainly not admissible against the heirs of Farmer as an admission, of. the true site of the disputed line. They might, from prudential or other considerations, decline to assert title to the disputed piece of land; but this [284] certainly could not prejudice any other person, who did assert a title to it. ■ We incline however, to the opinion, that it-was competent testimony, though as it regarded the plaintiffs, mere hearsay, upon a question of boundary. In England, reputation, or the declarations of deceased persons, are not evidence, in questions of boundary, between individuals, though admissible in questions of public right; but in the United States a different rule has generally prevailed. See the cases collected in 2 Cow. & Hill, 628. It is considered as a settled question in this country, by the Supreme Court of the United States, in Boardman v. Reid & Ford, 6 Peters, 341. The Court say, “ that boundaries may be proved by hearsay testimony, is a rule well settled, and the necessity, or propriety of which is not now questioned. Some difference of opinion, may exist as to the application of this rule, but there can be none as to its legal force.” See also, Ralston v. Miller, 3 Rand. 49. The deed made in 1801, establishes the fact, as general reputation, that the Bake-house lot, at the date of the deed; had an ascertained boundary, and the conduct of those claiming under it, is, as it respects -third persons, proof of the same grade, where that boundary was reputed to be. In the case cited from 3 Rand. the Court say, « ancient reputation, and possession, in respect to ‘the boundaries of streets, are entitled to infinitely more respect in deciding upon the boundaries of the lots, than any experimental survey, that can now be made.” In the present case, the disputed fact, related to the boundary of a public lot, Which It appears from the evidence, was enclosed in the Spanish times, with a picket fence. The boundary of such a lot, would be more apt to be known, than that of the lot of a private individual; and we think the conduct of the adjoining proprietors, at -a time when the boundary must have been known, conceding where that boundary was, against their own interest, is evidence of the general reputation at the time, of the boundary of the lot. The fact, that the deed had not been laid before any of the boards of commissioners, is of no importance. It is not offered as a muniment of title, but as evidence of a fact, disclosed by the deéd itself. The due execution of the deed is not controvert•ed, and it appears to have been recorded in the book of translated Spanish records in Mobile. [285] The objection, that all the evidence offered by the defendant, tended to contradict the line, as set out in the patent of the plaintiffs, was considered when this case was previously here. Let the judgment be affirmed.