Long v. Fuller

Downer, J. Flias Long gave to his brother James Long a power of attorney, authorizing him to collect the debts due to him, and to take possession of his property and manage the same, and transact business for him, “ excejoting the sale and conveyance of real estate.” Also, in a subsequent part was the following: “ My said attorney is nevertheless authorized and empowered to exchange and convey my house and lots in the village of Whitewater for other land or real estate, any thing in these presents to the contrary notwithstanding.” Flias Long, at the time, was in possession of a lot and house in the village of Whitewater, under a contract with one Nute for a conveyance of the same on the payment of one thousand dollars in installments, and interest thereon at ten per cent. James Long, while his brother was in prison, made a trade with John B. Fuller, and attempted to execute the proper writings as the attorney of Flias, to carry it into execution.

Fuller, in his testimony, states the bargain thus : “ James purchased my farm for Flias for $2500: Nixte contract $400 ; $2100 payable in installments. Contract to convey to Mias Long, when payments all made.” The first question is: Had James Long authority, by virtue of the power of attorney, to make such bargain, and assign the land contract his brother held for the house and lot in the village of Whitewater, or to convey his interest in the same in part payment of the farm ? The authority given to James “to exchange and convey” the house and lot, is special, and must be strictly construed. The word “ exchange,” when used in reference to real estate, has at common law a definite and well settled meaning. Blackstone, in his Commentaries, Yol. 2, page 323, says: “An exchange is a mutual grant of equal interests, the one in con< sideration of the other.

The word exchange ’ is so individually requisite and appropriated by law to this case, that it cannot be supplied by any other word,or expressed by any circumlocution. The estates exchanged must be equal in quantity; not of value for that is immaterial, but of interest; as fee simple for fee simple, a lease for twenty years for a lease for twenty years.” Jacob, in his Law Dictionary, says: “ Exchange of lands is a mutual grant of equal interests in lands or tenements, the one in exchange for the other.” He also says : “ Thereis atacit condition of re-entry in this deed, on the lands given in exchange, in case of eviction, and on the warranty to vouch and recover over in value. Eor if either of the parties is evicted, even of a part, the exchange is defeated.” If the word “exchange” in the power of attorney is used in the sense in which these learned authors use it, then James Long had no authority to make the bargain he did ; for Fuller and James, as attorney for Flias, did not make a mutual grant of equal interests in lands, the one in exchange for the other. But on the part of Fuller it was 'a sale of his farm for $2,500, of which $400 was to be paid by a transfer of the interest of Elias iu the house and lot, and the remainder in money.

The argument of the respondent’s attorney is, that this word “ exchange ’’ is used in the letter of attorney as in common conversation in reference to trade or traffic in chattels. Even when so used, if used with precision, it means a commutation of goods for goods; for if goods are transferred for money, it is a sale. And although sometimes, in loose conversation, persons may speak of exchanges of goods when a small part of the value is paid by one of the parties in money, yet, we apprehend, seldom or never when the greater part is paid in money. We come to the conclusion that James Long had no authority from Elias to purchase the farm for him on the terms he did.

It follows that Fuller had no right to receive from Nute a conveyance of the lot and house, and that he received it wrongfully, and holds it only in trust for the plaintiff. If the proper parties were before the court, we should, on reversing the judgment of the circuit court, direct an account to be taken, and a conveyance of the house and lot to the plaintiff. Rut since this cause was removed into this court, John B. Fuller has departed this life, and his heirs are not before the court.

By the Court. — The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings.