Hollinshead v. Von Glahn

Flandrau, J. By the Count. Judgment was entered in this case on the 29th day of March, 1859. At that time, this Court had, in the case of Mason, Craig, et al. vs. Calender, Flint & Co., 2 Minnesota Reports, 350, decided that the damages on the breach of a money contract were the same as 191 the interest agreed to be paid on the contract before breach. This decision was to some extent founded upon a former decision of the Territorial Supreme Court, holding an analogous principle. Wakefield vs. Brewster, 1 Minn. R. 352. With these two decisions of the Supreme Court against him, it can hardly be said that the Defendant was guilty of any negligence, or that he is chargeable with any waiver of his rights, in not contesting the assessment of damages at the time the judgment was taken against him. He was fully justified in supposing that the decisions would be adhered to, and that the rale of damages was settled. Afterwards, however, this Court, on a re-argument of the point, held that the measure of damages adopted in the case of Mason, Craig, et al. vs. Callender, Flint & Co., was erroneous, and that only seven per cent, per annum could be recovered as damages on the breach of money contracts. Marston vs. Talcott, 3 Minn. 339. And the Supreme Court of the United States reversed the decision in the case of Wakefield vs. Brewster, holding as we did in the case of Marston vs. Talcott, that seven per cent, per annum was all that could be recovered as damages on money contracts. After this change in the rule of decision, the Defendant made his motion in the Court in which judgment had been recovered against him for a re-assessment of damages, that he might have the benefit of the rule last adopted. Where a Defendant suffers a default in an action, and fails to take advantage of points which were open to him, this Court will hold him to have waived them, unless he can make a satisfactory excuse for his previous omission. In this case we think the facts that are stated above, are a perfect answer to any charge of sleeping on his rights that can be made against the Defendant. When the highest Court in the State has decided a point, parties have a right to act upon it as settled, and we will not allow any injury to result to suitors in consequence of such dependence, when we feel bound in duty to change our decisions. Under these considerations the Court below should have granted the Defendant’s motion for a reassessment of damages. The case is remanded with directions to modify the judgment entered, by striking out all above seven per cent, per annum after the maturity of the note.