Linthicum v. Ray

ERROR to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

This was an action on the case for obstructing the plaintiff in the use of a wharf in the city of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia. The wharf was situated on the south side of Water Street, between Market and Frederick Streets, in that city, and extended one hundred and one feet on the Potomac River. The plaintiff asserted a right to its use under various mesne conveyances from Francis and Charles Lowndes. It appeared from the evidence that, in the year 1800, these parties were the joint owners of a wharf occupying the site of the present wharf, and of similar dimensions. At the same time, Francis Lowndes owned in his own right two lots on the north side of Water Street, opposite the wharf, which he had improved by the erection thereon of two warehouses. These buildings were separated from each other by about twenty feet. In 1804 the two Lowndes united in a deed conveying to Richard and Leonard H. Johns the intervening lot between the two buildings, with its appurtenances, and also to them, 'their heirs and assigns, the privileges and rights of using the wharf built' by the Lowndes, 'free of all expense, for the purpose, from time to time, of mooring their ships or vessels, and for loading and unloading the same,' and for all goods imported or exported by them. The several mesne conveyances which bring the property to the plaintiff cover the same lot and the same 'privileges and rights of using the wharf,' describing both in similar language.

On the other hand, the defendant asserted a right to the wharf itself, as it now existed, and not merely a right to its use, and traced his title to the same original source,-Francis and Charles Lowndes.

It appeared from the deeds produced, that in April, 1800, these parties conveyed to one Templeman, in trust to indemnify him for his past indorsements, and any future indorsements he might make for them, and one John Suter, of notes in the Bank of Columbia, the two improved lots on the north side of Water Street, and the wharf mentioned. The trust-deed was accompanied with a power to the grantee to sell this property, and apply the proceeds to the payment of the notes indorsed by him, which were not taken up at maturity by their makers. In 1807, Templeman conveyed the property to Walter Smith upon trust to sell the same, whenever requested by the Bank of Columbia, to pay certain notes. In this conveyance Francis Lowndes joined. By sundry mesne conveyances from Walter Smith, the property, as contended by the defendant, became vested in him in 1858. At this time the wharf, which existed in 1804, had perished, and a new wharf, the one now in existence, was constructed in its place by the defendant, and has ever since remained in his exclusive possession.

The court below instructed the jury, that upon the evidence produced in the case the plaintiff was not entitled to recover, and the jury accordingly found for the defendant. The plaintiff excepted to the instruction, and brought the case here.

Messrs. Bradley and Wills, for the plaintiff in error.

Messrs. Cox and Davidge, contra.

Mr. Justice FIELD, after stating the case, delivered the opinion of the court, as follows: