820
FEDERAL REPORTER.
riage and rates of freight against competing telegraph companies, (being against public policy and in violation of law,) are absolutely null and void as against the complainant herein, and ought not in justice and equity to be alleged, pleaded, or set up against said complainant by said Western UnioI). Telegraph Company in any suit or at any place; and considering, further, that the matters set up in the bill herein and the exhibits produced are within the equity jurisdiction of the court, and call for the exercise of the equitable writ of injunction, it is ordered that an injunction pending this suit issue as prayed for; with the eondition, however, that the said injunction shall not be taken or construed as enjoining or prohibiting proceedings in any state court.
VITERBO
v.
FRIEDLANDER.'
(lJircuit Oourt, E. D. Loui8iana. June 9, 1885.
1.
LEASE-Loss OF THING LEASED.
Under tile Louisiana law a lease is dissolved by loss of the thIng leased, (La. Civil Oode, art. 2728;) and a lease shall end if the thing leased be destroyed by an unforeseen event. La. Civil Code, art. 2697.
2.
SAME-OVERFLOWS NOT UNFORESEEN EVENTS.
It is the settled jurisprudence of the state of Louisiana that crefJasses and overflows of the Mississippi river are not unforeseen accidents, and this is in accordance with the natural state of things as they exist in the alluvial poction of Louisiana. Jack80n v. Michel, 33 La. Ann. 723. followed.
In Chancery. S. C. 22 FED. REP. 422. Charles Louque, for complainant. Geo. H. Braughn, Chas. F. Buck, and Max Dinklespeil, for defendants. PARDEE, J. This cause was on application and consent of both parties referred to one of the masters of this court. His report covers all the issues in the case, and seems to be in accord with the evidence. His findings are as follows: (1) That the property leased was not destroyed; (2) that the loss of the growing crop, the partial filling of the canals and ditches, and the washing away of the bridges, were not caused by an unforeseen event; (3) that the plantation is as suitable for cultivation as a sugar plantation, if not in better condition, as it was prior to the overflow, and that the clearing of the canals and ditches and the repairing of bridges are incidents necessary to the cultivation of a sugar plantation; (4) that equity can give no relief to complainant, and that his bill should be dismissed, with costs. The exceptions filed attack the entire report and conclusions, and lReported by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the New Orlesl18 bar. Revened, see 7 Sup. Ct. Rep. 962. .
VITERBO '11. FRIEDLANDER.
321
the arguments in suppol't of the exceptions cover the entire issues between the parties. As to the amount and extent of the damage resulting to the leased property by the crevasse and consequell,t overflow, there is little, if any, dispute, either in evidence or in argument. The plant and stubble cane was destroyed, the ditches were, some partially and some wholly, filled, the canals were partially filled, and the bridges generally swept away. The waterremained over the land until July, and when the water retired a deposit of sand was left over the land of from three to six inches. To cultivate the place as a sugar plantation the following year, 1885, would require the cleaning out and reopening of the ditches and canals, the replacing or rebuilding of the bridges, and the obtaining and planting of seed cane, all of which would require considerable outlay and expense, particularly if the plantation should be put in the condition it was in at the date of the crevasse. So that if we dispose of the conclusions of the master, we dispose of the case. 1. The thing leased is described in the notarial act of lease as "a certain sugar plantation, situated in the parish of St. Charles, in this state, known as Friedlander's plantation, .. · * and with said plantation (which embraces all the land in said parish owned by said lessor) are also leased all the buildings, out-houses, fences, and other appurtenances thereof, consisting of," etc. Then follows a minute description of the sugar-house and machinery, and all the buildings and surroundings, etc., not one nor any of which are shown to have been impaired or lost. In fact none of the property so described as leased has been wholly or partially destroyed by a foreseen or unforeseen event, and there cau be no question that if the contract between the parties had gone no further as to the property to go into the possession of the lessee, no argument even could be had about the matter. But it is contended that as the property leased is generically described 'in the lease as "a sugar plantation," and as the contract between the parties contains this provision, towit: "And the said lessor further declared that he does hereby gi ve unto said lessee all of the growing cane crop of 1883, now standing in the field, which the said lessee expressly binds himself to plant as seed cane on said plantation, and to reimburse said lessor for said cane crop, said lessee binds himself to leave on said plantation, for the sole use and benefit of said lessor at the termination of this lease, December 15, 1888, eighty-five acres of full standed seed cane, (such as is usually called first year's stUbble,) which has been thoroughly cultivated, cut at the proper time for saving seed, and carefully windrowed, especially for seed; and. in addition thereto, said lessee shall also leave on said plantation, for said lessor. not less than 200 acres of stubble from what is called plant cane, which shall be properly protected in the ground:"
-and as the seed cane so given was planted on said place, and was destroyed by the crevasse, together with the bridges and ditches,that the thing leased was a sugar plantation, with growing and standing cane, and the necessary appliances and conditions to grow and v.24F,l1o.7-21
1322
raise each year sugar, and that the "thing" so leased has been de. stroyed. The term "sugar plantation," used in the lease to denote the propmayor may not, by itself, mean a plantation ditched and erty bridged, and supplied and appareled with adequate machinery, and furnished with seed cane, and planted cane, and stubble cane, all requisite to the present growth and production of sugar, but as used in the lease it is undoubtedly limited and explained by the circumstantial description of exactly what was leased. The very terms thereafter used with reference to the cane then in the field, and the obligations entered into with reference to it, show that such cane was not leaaed, but was loaned for consumption, and the effect of such loan was that the cane became the property of the lessee of the plantation. See Civil Code La. arts. 2910, 2911. In this case I think it is clear that the thing leased has not been destroyed. 2. In view of the first conclnsion I deem it of little importance whether the crevasse and overflow, resulting in the damage aforesaid, was or not an unforeseen event. Under Louisiana law the lease is dissolved by the loss of thing leased. See article 2728, Civil Code La. It is true that in article 1&697 of the Code it is provided that the lease shall end if the thing be destroyed by an unforeseen event, but it seems to me that article 2728, supra, is all embracing, and as it is without condition, and as by other articles of the Code the existence of the thing leased is essential to the life of the lease, (see articles 2692, 2710, Civil Code La.,) it matters little to the continuance of the lease how the thing leased is destroyed, if destroyed or lost at all. However this may be, it is the settled jurisprudence of the state of Louisiana that crevasses and overflows of the Mississippi river are not unforeseen accidents. Vinson v. Graves, 16 La. Ann. 162; Masson v. Mun'ay, 21 La. Ann. 535; Jackson v. Michie, 33 La. Ann. 723; and this is in accordance with the natural state .of things as they exist in the alluvial portion of Louisiana, where the plantation in question is located. 3. The third conclusion of the master is not exactly clear. He hardly means that a sugar plantation without canals and ditches, and bridges over the canals and ditches, is more suitable for cultivation than one with those ordinarily considered useful improvements. But taking his conclusion to mean that the alluvial deposit left on the place by the overflow has improved (probably) the fertility of the land, and the cleaning out ditches and canals, and the repairing of bridges, are usual and incidental to the cultivation of a sugar plantation, the conclusion is in accord with the evidence in the case. 4. As to equitable relief, the complainant repudiates any demand for a reduction of rent, and claims a dissolution of the contract of lease, on two grounds: "(1) The destruction of the leased premises in the whole. or at least in part; (2) the failure of the lessor to comply with the warranty of the lease to main-
VI1;ERBOV. FRJEDLANDER.
823
taln the thing in a conditioJ1. such as to serve for the use fol' which'it is hired, inasmuch as the use of it has been much impeded, indeed, so much so that it may well be said that the use of it has entirely failed."
No relief is claimed under the general rules and principles of equity, as administered ordinarily in a court of chancery. Indeed, it may be doubted if any could be given. See Story, Eq. Jur. §§ 101, 102; Pom. Eq. § 823. The complainant is then, of course, I'emitted to the Louisiana Code for authority to grant such relief as he asks. From the facts found by the master the thing leased has not been destroyed in whole or in part, the crops on the place forming no part of the thing leased; and if they do, and were destroyed by an unforeseen event, for such destruction the Code only gives an abatement of rent, (Code, art. 2743,) which, as has been said, is repudiated by the complainant. The Code, article 2692, expressly stipulates that the lessor is bound to maintain the thing in a condition such as to serve for the use for which it is hired; but, except as provided in article 2699, failure to keep in repair or condition does not annul the lease, for in such case the lessee is required to make the repairs himself and deduct from the rent, (article 2694;) and in this case it may be noted that complainant, in his supplemental bill, admits that by his contract he was to keep the place in repair. Article 2699, supra, is as follows: "If, without any fault of the lessor, the thing cease to be fit for the purpose for which it was leased, or if the use be much impeded,-as, if a neighbor by raising his walls shall intercept the light of a house leased,-the lessee may, according to circumstances, obtain the annullment of the lease, but has no claim for indemnity." ,
The thing leased in this case was for the purpuse of serving as a sugar plantation, a place on which cane was to be grown, thereafter to be made into sugar; and it is vigorously contended that it has "ceased to be fit for that purpose," and that its "use bas been much impeded." The argument is that as the ditches and canals are filed np and all the seed cane destroyed, requiring great labor and expense and much delay to put the place in the condition it was before the overflow, and so as to make sugar cultivation thereon profitable, the thing has ceased to be fit, and the lessee is much impeded within the terms and meaning of article 2699, supra. The facts in the case do not warrant the finding that the place has ceased to be fit for a sugar plantation. It is incontestable that it can used for the purpose of growing cane and making sugar; labor and expense are all that is required, and I take it they are always required; and this place can differ from others in that respect only in requiring more of each. Nor can it be said that the lessee by the overflow is much impeded in the use of the place. If the water had remained, and now covered any considerable portion of the place, there would be much impediment in the use of the thing, but as the facts appear the lessee has the full, unobstructed use of the thing he
324
leased. The case is that complainant has lost crops, and the present prospect of making profitable crops, and under his contract, accordingto equitable and Louisiana jurisprudence, he must bear his loss, as he does not bring his case within the provisions of article 2743, Civil Code La., for an abatement of the rent. There is no adj udicated Louisiana case cited that supports the complainant's demand for annullment of the lease on the ground that the defendant has failed to comply with the obligations of the contract. The Louisiana cases cited by the master are adverse. See DtLssnau v. Genel'cs, 6 La. Ann. 279; Denman v. Lopez, 12 La. Ann. 823. A few words as to the French authorities cited: The extracts from Troplong (Troplong du Louage des Choses, c. 695, 697) on the effects resulting from the loss of the fruits and the harvest from fatal circumstances and through violent perturbations, and claiming that the fruits not gathered are at the risk of the lessor, are taken from his commentaries on articles 1769, 1770 of the Code Napoleon, relating solely to the reduction of the rent in case of the loss of the harvest. The extract from 6 Marcadi, 499, is an insolated extract from his commentary on article 1771, Code Napoleon, in relation to the loss of fruits separated from the soil. The extract from the. same author, volume 6, art. N. U. 1720, is from a commentary on article 1720 of the Code Napoleon, the place of which is supplied in the Louisiana Code by articles 2693 and 2694, in relation to the repairs made by the lessor. A comparison of the two codes will show that the Louisiana Code goes further than the Code Napoleon in this: that it provides that in case of the refusal of the lessor to make the repairs, the lessee may cause them to be made at the lessor's expense. The case of De Silly C. de Pommel'eau, Journal de Patais, 1872, p. 939, which counsel cite "as having the advantage of presenting precisely the features of the present cause," has been misapprehended, as in that case the Court of Cassation refused to rescind and annul the lease, but held that the rent might be reduced, and so ordered. No adjudicated French case is cited which justifies the court in conclud. ing that the French jurisprudence in cases similar to the present differs from our own. The complainant's case is a hard one, and if the justifica,tion could be found, either in Louisiana law or the general principles of equity, I should be very glad to afford him relief, even to compelling the de· fendant, who is in no wise in fault, to share part of the inevitab\e loss; but as I understand the case, under the authorities, the complainant can have no reduction of rent, because the overflow was not an accident of such an extraordinary nature that it could not have been foreseen by either of the parties at the time the lease was made, (Civil Code La. art. 2743;) nor can he have a dissolution or annulment of the lease, because the thing leased has not been destroyed in whole or in part by an unforeseen event, (Civil Code La. art.
THE QUANTICO COTTON.
825
2697;) nor lost, (Civil Code La. art. 2728;) nol' has it ceased to be fit for t.he purposes for which it was leased, (Civil Code La. art. 2699;) nor IS the use of it much impeded. Civil Code La. art. 2699. The exceptions to the master's report will be overruled, with costs; and the report will be confirmed and homologated, and the defendant will be allowed to take a decree dismissing the complainant's bill with costs.
THE QUANTICO COTTON. 1 EVANS and others v. STATE NAT. BANK. J (Oircuit Oourt, E. D. Louisiana. June 20, 1885.) CONVERSION AND SPOLIATION.
In order to hold a party for an alleged conversion and spoliation, it is necessary to prove, either that he or his agents participated in the conversion, or received or benefited by the proceeds of the conversion, in whole or in part.
In Chancery. Albert G. Brice and AlbM·t H. Leonard, for complainant. James McConnell, for defendant. PARDEE, J. The facts as claimed by complainant are as follows: On December 27, 1859, S. D. Linton, a very wealthy planter, executed a mortgage on a valuable plantation situated in the parish of Rapides, known as the "Quantico Plantation," and on the improvements thereon, and the stock, cattle, horses, mules, farming utensils, implements of husbandry, and 195 slaves thereto attached, to secure a debt of $130,000, which he owed his commission merchants, W. & D. Urquhart, of New Orleans, evidenced by 12 notes, each for $10,833)13t, drawn to his own order and by him indorsed, maturing January 10-13, February 10-13, March 10-13, and March 15-18, of years 1861-62-63. A few days after, the Louisiana State Bank, now the State National Bank, discounted three of said notes, viz., those maturing February 10-13, March 10-13, and March 15-18, A. D. 1862, and received four of said notes, viz., those maturing January 10-13, 1862, February 10-13, March 10-13, and March 15-18, 1863, as collateral to secure payment of note given by W. & D. Urquhart to the bank for money borrowed equal to the face amount of the notes pledged. The ability of Linton to provide for his notes was not questionecl by himself or those who held them. They would doubtless have been met when due, but shortly before the notes first falling due matured, the country was precipitated into a revolution. Louisiana seceded, 1 Reported
by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the New Orleans bar.