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1 Morris 427

Shuffleton v. Jenkins

Supreme Court of Iowa

Decided January 15, 1845

Supreme Court of Iowa · decided 1845-01-15

From Jefferson. This was a bill for the specific performance of an agreement for the conveyance of the east half of S. W. quarter of the N. E. quarter of section 25, township 72, N. of R. 10 W. The bill alleges that on the 13lh March, 1843, the said defendants executed to complainants a bond conditioned to convey to said complainants on or before the 7th of April, 1843, the said land, provided that the complainants should pay the said defendant, on or before the day…

Decided 1845-01-15

¶1Pur Curiam,

Mason, Chief Justice.

¶2We think in this case, that time was of the essence of the contract. The condition of the bond was that the deed was to be made, provided the money ivas paid by a particular day. Had any part of the purchase money been paid, or had any note or other security for the payment of the money been given to the defendant, the case would have presented a very, different aspect. But as the case stands, the obligation is all upon one side. If they pay the money by the time specified, he is to make the deed, but there is nothing.to compel them to pay the money, it would be wholly unjust to allow them to hold this contract over the head of Jenkins for an indefinite period of time ; to be enforced if the lands increase in value, and to be neglected if they should decrease.

¶3The complainants will have sustained no injury from the rescisión of the contract. They have paid nothing; they are bound for nothing. They have failed to pay the money by the day stipulated and they show-no equitable grounds for the interference of a Court of Chancery.

¶4The decree of the court below will be affirmed.

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