Whitesides v. Greenlee, 17 N.C. 152, 2 Dev. Eq. 152 (1831)

Dec. 1831 · Supreme Court of North Carolina

17 N.C. 152, 2 Dev. Eq. 152

Moses L. Whitesides, W. W. Erwin, et al. v. William Greenlee and John Suddreth.

A purchaser cannot call for the execution of a contract procured from a vendor while in a state of intoxication.

The bill stated that in August 1820, the plaintiff White-sides purchased for a valuable consideration from the defendant Greenlee, eight lots in Morganton, and that Green-lee executed a bond with a condition reciting the contract, and providing for its execution — that afterwards, Whitesides assigned for value to Erwin and the other plaintiffs, all his interest in the lots, but that Greenlee, in order to defraud them, had conveyed the lots to the defendant Suddreth, who took the- conveyance with full notice of the equitable title of the plaintiffs. And the prayer of the bill was, that the contract might be established and a conveyance to the plaintiffs decreed.

Greenlee, in his answer, denied any recollection or knowledge of the contract or obligation stated in the bill, but admitted that he believed from the information of others, that he had executed such a bond at the house of Whitesides, while he was in such a state of intoxication as to bo utterly unfit for the transaction of any business, and even insensible of what he did. He also denied that ■he had ever received, so far as he knew or believed, any consideration for entering into the obligation to convey.

The answer of Suddreth admitted the purchase from Greenlee with notice of the plaintiff’s claim, but averred that the plaintiff had procured it in the manner stated in the answer of Greenlee.

The proofs taken fully supported the answers, as to the -situation of Greenlee when the bond was procured from him, and there was no evidence to shew what consideration Greenlee had received ; or to shew that he had received any, except an acknowledgment in the condition of the bond that he had es received full and ample compensation for the lots.”

The cause was heard at December term, Gaston appearing for the plaintiffs, and Hogg for the defendants.

Ham., Judge.

The .plaintiffs in this case claim the specific execution of a contract, which they state was entered into by the defendant Greenlee, for the conveyance of the lots specified in the hill, for a valuable consideration. It may be taken for granted that Greenlee signed a written contract for that purpose. But the fact appears to be well established by the depositions taken in the case, that at the time when he signed it he was intoxicated, and not capable of making a contract; that the jdaintiff Whitesides was not only conusant of his situation, but was instrumental in bringing it about. It is stated in the bill that the purchase was made upon a valuable consideration, but it is not stated what that consideration was, nor is any evidence offered, that Whitesides ever paid any part of it, nor is it even intimated of what value, the lots were.

From this short statement of the case, the plaintiffs are not entitled to a decree for a specific execution of the contract; not because there are merits and equity on the side of the defendant, but because the plaintiff White-sides has been guilty of a fraud in dealing unfairly with a helpless man, in procuring such contract to be entered into. He is at liberty to avail himself of any remedy the law will give him. But the bill must be dismissed with costs,

Per, Curiam. — Bin. dismissed.