Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States
D'Wolf v. Rabaud
26 U.S. 476
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- Opinion
- Court
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Date
- 1828-03-17
- Topic
- litigation
with the exception of convictions obtained in violation of the right to 27 counsel, a defendant has no constitutional right to collaterally attack the validity of previous state 28 1 convictions that are used to enhance his federal sentence under the ACCA
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- 60 opinions
D'WOLF v. RABAUD ET AL.,26 U.S. 476(1828)
JAMES D'WOLF, JUNIOR, PLAINTIFF IN ERROR,vs. DAVID JACQUES RABAUD, JEAN
PHILIPPE FREDERICK RABAUD, ALPHONSE MARC RABAUD, ALIENS, AND SUBJECTS OF
THE KING OF FRANCE, AND ANDREW E. BELKNAP, A CITIZEN OF THE STATE OF
MASSACHUSETTS, DEFENDANTS IN ERROR.
JANUARY TERM, 1828.
The defendants in error, brought an action ofassumpsit, in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern District of New-York, against the plaintiff in error, to recover damages for the breach of his contract, to ship to them, at Marseilles, five hundred boxes of white Havana sugar.
The declaration contains several special counts; of which the first and second only were relied upon at the trial.
The first count stated, that at the time of making the respective promises and undertakings of the defendant, the plaintiffs were co-partners in trade, carrying on business at Marseilles in France, under the firm of Rabaud, brothers and company. That one George D'Wolf, of Bristol, Rhode Island, being desirous of drawing upon the plaintiffs at Marseilles, for 100,000 francs; on the 15th March 1825, at New-York, in consideration that the plaintiffs, at the special instance and request of the defendant, would authorize the said George D'Wolf to draw bills of exchange upon the plaintiffs for the said sum of 100,000 francs, the defendant undertook, and promised, that he would ship for the account of George D'Wolf, on board of such vessel as George D'Wolf should direct, five hundred boxes of white Havana sugars, consigned to the plaintiffs at Marseilles, and the plaintiffs afterwards did duly authorize George D'Wolf to draw bills of exchange upon them at Marseilles, for the said sum of 100,000 francs, which bills were drawn by him on the 16th of November 1825, and paid by the plaintiffs on the 3d day of March 1826. That on the 4th day of January 1825, at the city of New-York, George D'Wolf did direct and name a vessel, the brig Quito, then laying in the port of New-York, and ready to receive the said sugars, on board of which vessel the sugar should and ought to have been shipped, by the defendant, on account of George D'Wolf, and consigned to the plaintiffs at Marseilles, according to his said promise and undertaking; of all which promises the defendant had notice; and although he was then and there requested to ship the sugar on board the said vessel, yet he did wholly refuse the same.
The second count differs from the first only in stating the contract to have been, that, "in consideration that the plaintiffs, at the request of the defendant, would authorize George D'Wolf to draw bills of exchange upon them at Marseilles, for another sum of 100,000 francs, on account of other five hundredPage 478boxes of white Havana sugar, to be shipped by the defendant for account of George D'Wolf, on board of such vessel as George D'Wolf should direct, and consigned to them the plaintiffs at Marseilles, the defendant undertook, c." and averring, that relying on the promise and undertaking of the defendant so made, they, the plaintiffs, after the making thereof, did duly authorize George D'Wolf to draw bills of exchange upon them for another sum of 100,000 francs, on account of the last mentioned five hundred boxes of white Havana sugars, to be shipped by the defendant on account of George D'Wolf, and consigned to the plaintiffs at Marseilles.
The cause was tried at the October term of the Circuit Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New-York, in 1826, when the jury, under the charge of the Court found a verdict for the plaintiffs below for $19,950 85. The opinion of the Court, in the charge to the jury, was excepted to by the counsel for the defendant, and a bill of exceptions scaled by Mr. Justice Thomson, sitting as Judge of the Circuit Court: and the opinion delivered by him, states the evidence adduced in the cause.
On the trial of the cause in the Circuit Court, the plaintiffs below, gave evidence, by the testimony of George D'Wolf, who was examined under a commission at Havana, that he George D'Wolf, had several transaction with the plaintiffs previous to that which gave rise to this suit, and had at various times drawn bills on them. That he had three interviews with Mr. Belknap, on the subject of the shipment of the sugars; which interviews were had, first in Wall street in the city of New York; secondly, at the counting house of James D'Wolf, Jun., the plaintiff in error; and thirdly at the boarding house of Mr. Belknap. James D'Wolf, Jun. was present at the first interview, and he with a certain Frederick G. Bull was present at the second, at his counting house.
Mr. George D'Wolf stated, that the transactions relative to the shipment of the sugars were; that, in Wall street, he proposed to Mr. Belknap to address him five hundred boxes of sugars to the house at Marseilles, on receiving authority to draw on account of the same, to the extent of 100,000 francs. Mr. Belknap, being engaged, an interview was proposed at the counting house of Mr. James D'Wolf Jun., which took place, and at which Mr. Belknap observed, that the advance was heavy; and a calculation was made by F.G. Bull, the confidential clerk of Mr. James D'Wolf Jun., and by Mr. James D'Wolf himself, of the value of the sugar, compared with the proposed advance; the conclusion of which was, an agreement that the sugars should be shipped, and the authority to draw granted to George D'Wolf; Mr. James D'Wolf engaging, byPage 479letter, to ship the sugars in behalf of George D'Wolf; which form of letter was afterwards carried by George D'Wolf to Mr. Belknap, was assented to by him; was signed by Mr. James D'Wolf Jun.; and the authority to draw granted and used accordingly.
This letter, and the authority to draw, are in the following terms: —New-York, 15th November1825.
MR. JAMES D'WOLF, JUN.
Dear Sir: — You will please ship for my account, on board of such a vessel as I shall direct, five hundred boxes white Havana sugar, consigned to Messrs. Rabaud, Brother Co. Marseilles, and oblige your friend and obedient servant.
GEORGE D'WOLF. Agreed to, JAMES D'WOLF, JUN.New-York, 15th November1825.
Messrs. RABAUD, BROTHERS Co.,Marseilles,
I have this day authorized George D'Wolf Esq. to draw on you for thousand francs, and I request you to honor his bills to that amount.
Your obedient servant, A.E. BELKNAP.
Mr. George D'Wolf also stated, that his object was to ship the sugars in one of his own vessels; that he was then indebted to the house in Marseilles, about thirty thousand francs, but could not say that Mr. James D'Wolf knew of the debt. The sugars were shipped to obtain the usual advance, and the consignees were to have the usual commissions in the transaction.
Bills, to the amount of the advance were afterwards drawn and negotiated in Boston, and the proceeds of the same applied as follows: — 13,000 dollars remitted to Mr. James D'Wolf, in checks on the bank, and in an acceptance of Isaac Clapp, a broker in Boston; and the residue of the proceeds of the transaction passed to the account of George D'Wolf by Mr. Clapp. It was admitted, that the bills were regularly paid at Marseilles, by the defendant in error.
It was also in evidence, by the testimony of Mr. George D'Wolf, that at the time of the negotiation for the bills, Mr. George D'Wolf had in the hands of the plaintiff in error, from three to four hundred boxes of sugar; of which sixty had been remitted from Rhode Island, on account of which he drew the sum of four thousand dollars, and the remainder were purchased for his account by Mr. James D'Wolf Jun.; and at the same time he was indebted to Mr. James D'Wolf Jun. a considerable amount.Page 480
Mr. George D'Wolf also testified that the sugars to be shipped were to be on his account, and not on that of the plaintiff in error — that the agreement with Mr. James D'Wolf was that the proceeds of the negotiation of the advance should be remitted to him, and upon this verbal agreement, Mr. James D'Wolf granted his signature to the letter of the 15th of November 1825. Mr. James D'Wolf afterwards wrote to the witness, that he should decline to make the shipment in question, until he should receive the remittances agreed upon. When the letter was first presented, Mr. James D'Wolf declined signing it, deferring it to the next morning, when he should see Mr. Bull; and it was signed the next morning. That the letter or memorandum of agreement, had for its sole object the shipment of the sugars to Marseilles, that market being preferred to New-York; and to place in the hands of Mr. James D'Wolf Jun. the proceeds of the bills, in order to further the shipment; and not with reference to accounts existing between him and the plaintiff in error; and that the plaintiff in error, knew the defendants, and particularly Mr. Belknap, in the transaction as stated.
Mr. George D'Wolf also stated in his evidence, that he did not know that Mr. Belknap was acquainted with the circumstance that the proceeds of the bills were to go to the plaintiff in error; or with the state of accounts between him and Mr. James D'Wolf junior.
Evidence was also given to show, that the plaintiff below carried on business in Marseilles, in France, and that all of the said parties, with the exception of Mr. Belknap, were native subjects of France; and that Mr. Belknap was a native citizen of the United States, has resided some years in France, and now, always considering Boston as his home, resided in Boston; where he lodged in a boarding-house, in which he hired rooms by the year; and was understood to pay taxes in Boston; his letters of business were addressed to Boston; and he was absent from there in the United States, occasionally, for the purposes of transacting business for the firm in Marseilles.
Soon after the negotiation of the 15th November, Mr. George D'Wolf became insolvent, and at the time of his failure he was largely indebted to the plaintiff in error. Being thus embarrassed he addressed to Mr. Belknap the following letter: —Bristol, R.I. 27th December, 1825.
M.A.E. BELKNAP.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of yours of the 23d instant, and note its contents. Owing to my embarrassments, the Magnet which IPage 481had wrote you would proceed to New-York to take the sugars, which Mr. James D'Wolf junior was to ship to your house in Marseilles, will not go on. You are therefore at liberty to make any arrangements with him you may think proper, for the interest of all concerned. I am extremely sorry that you met with an accident to prevent your visiting me, as it would have afforded me much pleasure in seeing you.
Believe me very truly your friend,
GEORGE D'WOLF.
Which letter was upon the 27th day of December 1825 shown to the plaintiff in error, by Mr. Belknap; and a copy of the same was, upon the 3d of January 1826, delivered to him enclosed in the following letter: —New-York, January3d1826.
MR. JAMES D'WOLF Junior, New-York.
Sir — I enclose you a copy of a letter which I yesterday received from Mr. George D'Wolf, of Bristol Rhode Island. In pursuance of the authority given me by him, I shall, without delay, engage and provide a vessel, on board of which I shall require you (according to your contract of the 15th November last,) to ship for account of Mr. George D'Wolf five hundred boxes white Havana sugar, consigned to Messrs. Rabaud, Brothers Co., Marseilles.
Your obedient servant, A.E. BELKNAP.
On the 4th January 1826, Mr. Belknap addressed the plaintiff in error, in the following terms: —New-York, January4th1826.
MR. JAMES D'WOLF Junior, New-York.
Sir — In pursuance of the notice I gave you in my letter of yesterday, I have engaged the American brig Quito, Captain Wing, now lying at Fly Market wharf, in this city, for the purpose of receiving, on freight, for Marseilles, five hundred boxes of white Havana sugar. The Quito is a good staunch vessel, and is now ready to receive the sugar. I therefore require you to ship on board of her for account of Mr. George D'Wolf, of Bristol R.I. five hundred boxes of white Havana sugar, consigned to Messrs. Rabaud, Brothers Co. of Marseilles, according to your contract of 15th November last. Herewith, is a copy of a letter I addressed to Mr. George D'Wolf, on the 23d of December last, his answer to which I showed you yesterday; at the same time I gave you a copy of it. If you prefer to ship the sugar in any vessel other than the Quito, I have no objection,Page 482provided you will designate the vessel, and give notice to me immediately, and make the shipment without delay.
Your obedient servant, A.E. BELKNAP.
To this letter the plaintiff replied as follows: —New-York, January 5th1826.
MR. A.E. BELKNAP.
Sir — In answer to your letter of the 4th instant, I have merely to say, that whenever Mr. George D'Wolf, or any person authorized by him, will pay me for five hundred boxes of Havana sugar, I will ship the same, consigned to Messrs. Rabaud, Brothers Co., at Marseilles.
Your obedient servant, JAMES D'WOLF JUN.
Evidence was also given, that the brig Quito was engaged early in January 1826 by Mr. Belknap to carry the sugar to Marseilles, that she was a competent vessel for the purpose, and that the freight to be paid for the transportation of the sugar was the usual and customary charge for the same.
The plaintiffs in error objected at the trial to the reading of the letter of 27th December 1825, from George D'Wolf to Mr. Belknap, which objection was overruled by the Court.
On the part of the plaintiffs in error, at the trial of the cause before, the Circuit Court, Frederick G. Bull was introduced as a witness, whose testimony is stated in the bill of exceptions to have been given as follows: —
That he is, and for nine years past has been, a confidential clerk in the employment of the said James D'Wolf, junior; that he was present at the counting-room of the said defendant on the 15th day of November 1825, when the interview mentioned and described in the said deposition of the said George D'Wolf took place, between the said George D'Wolf, the said Andrew E. Belknap, and the said James D'Wolf, junior; that the said George D'Wolf and Andrew E. Belknap came into the counting-room on said 15th day of November in company, and were conversing together; that they there found the said James D'Wolf, junior, and the witness; that after some little time had elapsed, the said James D'Wolf, junior, and the witness, withdrew into an inner apartment or adjoining room, and were in a few minutes followed by the said George D'Wolf, and the said Andrew E. Belknap; that while the said Andrew E. Belknap and the said George D'Wolf were in conversation, the latter addressed a question to the said James D'Wolf, junior, and asked him how much five hundredPage 483boxes of sugar would bring, or amount to, at some specified price; that the said James D'Wolf, junior turned to the witness, and asked him to make the calculation; that the witness did make a hasty calculation, and gave for answer, "about seventeen thousand dollars;" that he heard no proposition made by the said James D'Wolf, junior, to the said Andrew E. Belknap, nor by the said Andrew E. Belknap to the said James D'Wolf, junior, nor any conversation between the said Belknap and the said defendant of any importance, although he thinks that the said defendant did speak to the said Belknap once or twice during the said interview; that the said James D'Wolf, junior, appeared, so far as the witness observed, to take little or no interest in the conversation or business which was going forward and taking place between the said George D'Wolf and the said Andrew E. Belknap; that during the time of said conversation and interview, (which occupied not more than ten or fifteen minutes,) the said James D'Wolf, junior, left the counting-room for a short time and returned; that the said James D'Wolf, junior, is in the habit of communicating all matters of business to the witness, and consulting him concerning the same, and the witness does not think it at all probable, that the said James D'Wolf, junior, would have made any contract or agreement with the said Andrew E. Belknap, either at that time or any other, without the knowledge of the witness; that the said James D'Wolf, junior, during part of the time of the said interview, was walking about his counting-room, while the said George D'Wolf and the said Andrew E. Belknap were conversing together, and at one time came up to the witness and addressed some remarks to him; that the witness was writing at the desk, and occupied in his own affairs of business, and did not pay very particular attention to the conversation of the said parties; that the defendant and Belknap might have conversed on the subject of the sugar without the witness knowing it; and the witness would not undertake to say that an agreement by the said defendant with the said plaintiff might not have been made without the knowledge of the witness; that the witness does not know, that the said Andrew E. Belknap knew that the proceeds of said bills were to have been remitted to the said defendant, by the said George D'Wolf, before the said defendant was bound to ship the said sugar; that the said George D'Wolf was, on the 15th day of November 1825, and for a long period anterior thereto, and ever since has been, largely indebted to the said James D'Wolf, junior; that the sum of thirteen thousand dollars, for and on account of the five hundred boxes of sugar mentioned in the said deposition of George D'Wolf, was never paid by the said George to the said defendant, and never came into his hands:Page 484that George D'Wolf did, on or about the 23d day of November1825, remit to the defendant, his, George D'Wolf's, draft forsix-thousanddollars, on Isaac Clapp, of Boston, at three days' sight, and a check upon the United States' Branch Bank at New-York, forone thousand dollars; which said draft and checkwere both paid, and the amount thereofreceivedby the saidJames D'Wolf, junior: that the said George D'Wolf did also, shortly after, transmit to the defendant, his, the said George D'Wolf's draft upon the said Isaac Clapp, at thirty days' sight, for seven thousand dollars, which was received by the defendant, but was never paid, either by the acceptor, the said Isaac Clapp, or the drawer, the said George D'Wolf; but the same was protested for non-payment, and still remains due and unpaid.
The counsel for the defendant below, then offered to prove by Mr. Bull, that there was an express understanding and agreement between the defendant and George D'Wolf, at the time the said letter of the 15th of November was signed by the defendant, that the latter should furnish the defendant with the funds necessary for the purchase of said sugar, before the said defendant would be under any obligation to ship the same.
This testimony was not permitted to go to the jury; the Court stating that "the defendant below could offer no testimony to the jury, of any arrangement between him and George D'Wolf relating to the funds for the payment for the sugar, unless it should also appear that Mr. Belknap was party thereto, or that the same was brought to his knowledge." The counsel for the defendant below excepted to this opinion.
The defendant below also gave in evidence on the trial, the following letter, containing matter contradictory to the testimony of George D'Wolf.Boston, November28th, 1825.
Mr. JAMES D'WOLF, Junior.
Dear Sir,
I send you my draft on Mr. Clapp for $6000, at three days' sight, as he cannot get any drafts or checks on New-York, having tried all the banks and brokers; he has not sold the exchange, or any part of it as yet, but thinks he can in three or four days. Last sales 19¼ cents; money very scarce; the New-Yorkers have sent on a great deal of paper; banks stopt discounting. He will remit you the balance as soon as he sells, then, if a draft can be procured; or otherwise will authorize you to draw on him for the balance. I enclose a check on the Branch for $1000, making $7000 which credit this account.
I am your friend and obedient servant,
GEORGE D'WOLF.Page 485
Mr. Hall and Mr. Ogden for the plaintiff in error.
The defendants in error brought an action ofassumpsitin the Court below, against the plaintiff in error, founded upon aPage 487special agreement;they are therefore bound to prove the contract stated in the declaration, expressly, as laid. This is a cardinal rule in pleading.Anon. L. Ray. 735. Hockinvs. Cooke,Page 4884T.R., 314. The plaintiffs must, in the first place, prove apromisefrom the defendant to the plaintiffs, and then, any consideration of benefit to the defendant, or of injury to the plaintiffs, movingbetween the parties, will sustain the promise. (1Roll. Abr. 6.)
It is admitted by the learned Judge, in his charge to the jury,Page 489that "the letter" from Geo. D'Wolf to the defendant, dated November 15th, 1825, and upon which the latter subscribed the words "agreed to," is theprincipalevidence in the cause. This letter, we say, neither proves, norconducesto prove the promise laid in the declaration. In the first place, the plaintiffs are notpartiesto the contract contained in the writing; and it is a general rule, that no person can maintain an action ofassumpsit, upon an agreement to which he is notaparty;for in such case there can be no contract express or implied. Jordanvs. Jordan,Cro. Eliz. 369. Crowvs. Rogers, 1Strange, 592. Bournevs. Mason, 1Vent. 6.
The construction to be put upon this letter is matter of law, and it ought not to pass to the jury without explanation from the Court. (1T.R. 172.) This agreement,upon its face, clearly purports to be a contract between George D'Wolf upon the one part, and James D'Wolf jun. upon the other. The words of the letter are to be explained according to theirnatural import;and we are not to go in search ofconjectures, in order to extend them, when the meaning conveyed by the terms of the agreement is evident, and leads to no absurd conclusion.Chittyon Com. Mar. vol. 3, 107.Powel on Con. title "Interpretation."Vattel's L. of N. 224.
An express contract is gathered merely from the words of the parties themselves, who are bound to know the meaning which the law will attach to express words. It rests on no uncertain inferences of theprobablemeaning of the parties; but on theactual declarationof intention, made in direct terms.Chittyon Com. Mar. vol. 3, pages 3 and 4.
"The letter" judged by these rules, is plainly a contract between the defendant and Geo. D'Wolf, resting upon a consideration passing betweenthem, and the insertion of the names of the plaintiffs was a mere direction, as to whosecarethe sugar when shipped should be committed. The plaintiffs are the mere agents or intended bailees of Geo. D'Wolf, and have no apparent interest in the subject matter of the contract. The agreement is placed by the terms made use of, entirely under the control of Geo. D'Wolf, who has the power of designating a vessel to receive the sugar. He is a party in fact, and a party in interest, and by complying with the terms of the agreement imposed uponhim, he would have the right, and thesoleright to seek an enforcement of the contract. The words "for my account," contained in the letter prove that the agreement was not madewithnorforthe plaintiffs, and they have no authority for bringing an action in their own names, for a violation of the contract.
This position may be supported by an analogy drawn from bills of lading. A bill of lading, expressed in the ordinaryPage 490form, transfers the property absolutely to theconsignee, and he becomes, in legal contemplation, theownerof the goods. But if words are made use of in the bill of lading, which show that the property of the shipment remains in the consignor, and that the consignee is the mereagentorfactorof the consignor; then no action for a violation of thecontractcontained in the bill of lading, will lie in the name of theconsignee. It must be brought in the name of the consignor. If the rights of the consignee, arising from advances made inexpectationof the consignment are violated, he has no remedy upon thecontract, but must bring trover, or go into a Court of Equity. Evansvs. Martlett, 12Mod. 156.Chitty on Com. Mar. vol. 3. 401. n. 2. n. 5. Pottervs. Lansing, 1John. 215. Davisvs. Jordan, 5Burrows, 2680. Sargeantvs. Morris, 3B. A. 277.
The action must be brought in the name of the party who has the legal interest in the subject matter of the contract; and a mere equitable right, if any exist, will not support an action upon anexpress agreementto which the plaintiffs are not parties. If this sugar had been shipped, it would have been shipped as the property of Geo. D'Wolf, who would have been liable for freight, insurance, and commissions. The property would have been at his risk; and in case of the bankruptcy of the plaintiffs, Geo. D'Wolf would have had the right to repay to them the advance received, and to stop the goodsin transitu.
"This not being an action for deceit and imposition, but on awritten contract, the right of the plaintiffs to recover is measured precisely by that contract." Tayloevs. Riggs, 1Peters's Reports of the Decisions of the S.C. 1828,post.
2. The letter upon its face, is plainly a contract between the defendant and Geo. D'Wolf. It is not negotiable, and the delivery of it, therefore, to the plaintiffs by Geo. D'Wolf, gives them no authority to maintain an action upon the agreement in theirownnames. This instrument bears no analogy to a bill of exchange: not being made payable inmoneyand containing no operative words of transfer. It is a mere executory agreement to ship merchandise, and if valid would only subject the defendant todamagesfor its violation, as between theoriginal parties. (Smithvs. Smith, 2John. 240. Jeromevs. Whitney, 7John. 321. Cooledgevs. Ruggles, 15Mass.) If this letter or order had been for the payment of money, but drawn in its present restricted form, it would not have entitled the plaintiffs to maintain an action in their own names upon theacceptanceorspecial contract. No instrument in the form of a bill of exchange, was ever held to be negotiable, unless in some substantial form made payableto orderon the face of it. The law, as laid down in the case of Hillvs. Lewis, (1Salk. 133,) has always been adhered to. (See Girardvs. Da Costa et al. 1Dallas, 144. DowningPage 491vs. Backentoes, 3Caines, 137. Stephensvs. Hill, 5Esp.N.P. Cases, 247.)
3. This letter being a contract between Geo. D'Wolf and the defendant, is, as between the original parties,nudum pactum, for the want of mutuality and void. George D'Wolf was not bound to designate a vessel nor to receive the sugar; and it is a universal rule that a contract cannot bind one party and not the other. "Apromisemay be voluntary, but anagreementto be binding, must contain amutualengagement." Lyonvs. Lamb,Fell. on Mer. Guar. 336, 1Roll. Ab. 23.Coke Litt. 55,a. Doevs. Smith, 2T.R. 438. Claytonvs. Jennings, 2W.B.R. 706. Paynevs. Cane, 3T.R. 148. Cookevs. Oxley, 3T.R. 148. Wainevs. Warlters, 5East, 16. Kingtonvs. Phelps,Peake's N.P. Cas. 227. Tuckervs. Woods, 12John. 190. Parkhurstvs. Van Cortlandt, 1John. C.R. 282. Jenkinsvs. Reynolds, 3Brod. B. 13. Woodsvs. Edwards, 19John. 211. McLemorevs. Powell, 12Wheat. 557. 2Black.Com. 447. 1Fonb. Eq. 383,n.a. vol. 3, 129. 4T.R. 764-5. 7Ibid. 129-131. 7Bro. P.C. 184.
4. But if the agreement be not void for want of mutuality; still payment of the value of the sugar to the defendant, is a condition precedent to his undertaking to ship, clearly implied from the face of the instrument, and should have been averred in the declaration.Chit. Plea. 314-15. 1Wm. Saund. 300note4at the end. Com. Dig. title Pleader C. 51. 1T.R. 645. 7Ibid. 121. 1Saund. 319-320. 1East, 203, 208, 619. Cowpervs. Andrews,Hobart, 41. 1H. Black. 363.
5. The contract of the defendant relative to the shipment of the sugar was entirely in writing, and is contained in the letter of November 15th 1825. If this agreement is free from ambiguity, so as to be capable of a sensible exposition from its own terms, without reference to extrinsic matters,dehorsthe instrument itself; then no parol evidence can be introduced to vary the terms of the agreement, or to change the parties thereto. Clarkevs. Russell, 3Dall. 421. Gunnisvs. Erhart, 1H. Black. 289. Cokervs. Guy, 2Bos. Pull. 565. Thompsonvs. Ketchum, 8John. 146. Gilpinsvs. Consequa, 1Pet. R. 87. Deanvs. Mason, 4Con. R. The N.Y. Ins. Co.vs. Thomas, 3John. Cas. 1. Jacksonvs. Croy, 12John. 427. 11Mass. 27. 2Brow. Ch. 219.Peake's Ev. 117. Vandevoortvs. Col. Ins. Co. 2Caines, 155. Mumfordvs. McPherson, 1John. Rep. 418. Brighamvs. Rogers, 17Mass. Powellvs. Edmunds, 12East, 10. Jacksonvs. Sill, 11John. 216. Parkhurstvs. Van Cortlandt, 1J.C.R. 283. Hampshirevs. Pierce, 2Vez. 216. Jacksonvs. Hart, 12John. 17. Grantvs. Naylor, 4Cranch, 224.
6. But if there is any doubt upon this subject, and the parol evidence be admitted to explain the agreement, then we say, that neither the parol proof, nor "the letter" taken inconnexionPage 492with the parol proof, can sustain the plaintiffs' declaration. — 1. Because there is no proof upon the record, that the defendant ever made the promise set forth in the declaration, eithertoorforthe plaintiffs: but on the contrary, the evidence is conclusive that thevery promise, claimed by the plaintiffs to have been made to them and for their benefit, was made by the defendant to George D'Wolf, and for his benefit. The defendant having moved for a nonsuit at the trial, has a right to examine the testimony upon this point at this time, in the same manner as upon the original motion. If the testimony offered in evidence by the plaintiff, be insufficient, in point of law, to sustain his declaration, the defendant has a right to call upon the Court to nonsuit the plaintiff. Swiftvs. Livingston, 2John. Cases, 112. Clementsvs. Benjamin, 12John. 298. Prattvs. Hull, 13John. 298. Crookshankvs. Gray, 20John. 350.
2. The consideration upon which the defendant's promise was made, is entirely different from that set forth in the declaration, and this is a fatalvariance. (Kingvs. Robinson,Cro. Eliz. 79.Com. Dig. vol. 1, 334,title,action upon the case upon assumpsit.)
3. Were there any doubt upon these points, the defendant ought to have been permitted to remove them by the testimony of Mr. Bull. If it be contended that this promise, although not madedirectlyto the plaintiffs, was nevertheless made to Geo. D'Wolf for theirbenefit;then the testimony offered by the defendant at the trial, ought to have been received to contradict this assertion.
4. But the promise contained in the letter, if madetoGeo. D'Wolf for thebenefitof the plaintiffs, will not sustain the declaration, unless he can be considered as the mereagentof the plaintiffs; and this supposition is contradicted, not only by the words of the instrument itself, but by the plaintiffs' own witness. [The counsel here referred to and commented on the following cases: Duttonvs. Pool, 2Lev. 210. Schermerhornvs. Vanderheyden, 1John. Rep. p. 9. Feltonvs. Dickenson, 10Mass. 287. Piggottvs. Thompson, 3Bos. Pull. 149,and the note. Martynvs. Hynde,Cowp. 437. Com. of Feltmakersvs. Davis, (1Bos. Pull. 102.) 3Salk. 234.Comb. 450. 3T.R. 757.Chitt. on Plea. vol. 1,p. 4.Com. Diges. vol. 1,p. 309and the note p., title actionupon the case upon assumpsit.] Indeed in the case of a written contract "inter partes," no other than an immediate party to the instrument itself, can maintain an action upon it. (Offleyvs. Warde, 1Lev. 235. Gilbeyvs. Copley, 3Lev. 139. Saltervs. Kingsley,Carth. 77.)
If Geo. D'Wolf was theagentof the plaintiffs, then they are bound by his acts, and must place the proceeds of the bills of exchange in the hands of the defendant, according to GeorgePage 493D'Wolf's express promise, before he will be under any obligation to ship the sugar.
7. No vessel has ever been designated by George D'Wolf, on board of which the defendant has been required, by George D' Wolf, to ship the sugar; and until such designation, no right of action will accrue in favour of any person against the defendant. The letter of George D'Wolf dated December 27th, 1825, and addressed to A.E. Belknap, (relied upon by the counsel for the plaintiffs to prove an authority in Belknap to designate a vessel as the agent of George D'Wolf,) is insufficient for that purpose. It gives Belknap no such authority; and besides, George D'Wolf had no right, legal or moral, after his bankruptcy, and after failing to place funds in the hands of the defendants, either for the purchase or payment of the sugar, — to call upon him to ship the same, consigned to the plaintiffs at Marseilles.
8. The agreement of the defendant relative to the shipment of the sugar, if made with the plaintiffs at all, was collateral to an undertaking on the part of George D'Wolf that he would cause the sugar to be shipped by the defendant, in consideration of an authority to be given to him to draw bills of exchange upon the plaintiffs, for his own benefit. For the nonfulfilment of this promise, George D'Wolf was and is liable, and the defendant's undertaking is essentially a guarantee, given in aid of George D'Wolf's credit, or for the performance of an act which he was bound by a promise, confessedly original, to perform. From the performance of this promise George D'Wolf has never been exonerated, and the defendant's undertaking is collateral to that of George D'Wolf.fn*The testimony of the plaintiffs is therefore inadmissible under the statute of frauds, to prove their declaration for the want of a sufficient memorandum of theagreementin writing. Whatever doubts may have existed upon this subject, it is now well settled, that in cases under the statute of 29Char. 2,chap. 3,sec. 4 (1N.Y. RevisedLaws page78,chap. 44,sec. 11) theconsiderationupon which the agreement rests as well as thepromise itself, must appear upon the writing. Wainvs. Warlters, 5East, 16. Lyonvs. Lamb,Fell. on Guar. Saundersvs. Wakefield, 3B.Ald. 595. Jenkinsvs. Reynold,B. Bing. p. 14. Jeanvs. Brink, 3John. 211. Leonardvs. Vredenburg, 8John. 27. Stewartvs. M'Givin, 1Cow. 99. Sloanvs. Wilson, 4Har.John. 322. Stephens, Ramsay Co.vs. Winn, 2Nott M'Cord372.Page 494
Mr. Webster and Mr. King for the defendants.
1. As this cause is brought here by a writ of error, we apprehend that the Court will not go into an examination of the weight of the testimony. The verdict of the jury is conclusive, that the defendant made the agreement stated in the plaintiffs' declaration.
It is unnecessary now to inquire, what was the agreement between the defendant and George D'Wolf, or whether that agreement could be enforced — and it was equally so at the trial unless that agreement was brought home to the knowledge of Belknap, so as to become a part of the defendant's contract with the plaintiffs.
2. But aside from the verdict — The testimony proved the contract as laid in the declaration. If we put the case upon the verbal agreement between the parties, as we contend that we may, (3Dall. 300) then the testimony of George D'Wolf clearly made out our case. The letter is only corroborative of the verbal agreement. If we go upon the written contract as contained in the letter of the 15th November 1825; then we contend, that the written agreement is in its terms as much an agreement with the plaintiffs as with George D'Wolf, and may enure to their benefit. If the letter had not expressed that the sugars were to be shipped for the account of George D'Wolf, the agreement of the defendant would have been a mere undertaking with the plaintiffs.
But, for the purpose of this action, it is sufficient, that the agreement contained in the letter of the 15th November, was in fact made and entered into by the defendant for the use and benefit of the plaintiffs. That it was so, was fully proved. They advanced the consideration of the undertaking in the faith of its being performed; and the defendant, at the time when he signed the letter, knew, that it was to be delivered to Mr. Belknap, who on its credit would authorize George D'Wolf to draw the bills.
It was not necessary, in order to entitle the plaintiffs to maintain their action, that George D'Wolf should have been a mere agent without interest. The cases cited do not support the position of the counsel. The rule is, that if the promise is made to A for the benefit of B, from whom that consideration moves, the law will intend hat A is the mere agent of B. (1Com. Dig. action on the caseassumpsit. E note, Westonvs. Barker, 12John. Rep. 276. Lawsonvs. Mason, 3Cranch, 492.)
3. The main question, and that which involves the merits of this cause, arises upon that part of the charge of the learned Judge, in which he instructed the jury "that if the undertaking of the defendant was entered into at the same time with that between Belknap and George D'Wolf, so as to form one entirePage 495transaction, then the consideration of the defendant's undertaking might be proved by parol."
It is conceded that if the undertaking of the defendant was original, and not within the statute of Frauds, parol evidence of the consideration was admissible. If the consideration be stated in connexion with the written agreement, the undertaking is in its terms direct to the plaintiffs; and nothing more remains to be supplied by parol evidence. But, if it were necessary, parol evidence was admissible to prove theres gesta, and purpose of that letter and agreement. Batemanvs. Phillips, 15East, 272. 7Taunt. 295. 5Wheat. 326.
But it is contended, that the undertaking of the defendant. (if an undertaking to the plaintiffs,) was a collateral agreement within the statute of Frauds; and that the consideration as well as the promise, must be in writing, in order to be binding upon the defendant.
Admitting the law to be now settled by the English cases, as we say it ought not to be, we contend, that if the general proposition which was first laid down by Lord Ellenborough in the case of Wainvs. Warlters, can be maintained, still our case cannot in any view of it be brought within the principle of that case.
In Wainvs. Warlters, the defendant undertook to pay thepreviously subsistingdebt of another person, upon anewconsideration; that the plaintiff would forbear to sue. In the present case, the jury have expressly found that the arrangement between Mr. Belknap and George D'Wolf, as to the authority to draw on the house in Marseilles, on the shipment and consignment of the sugar, and the undertaking of the defendant to make that shipment, were made and entered into at one and the same time, so as to form one entire transaction; and that the authority given by Mr. Belknap to George D'Wolf to draw on the plaintiffs for 100,000 francs, was the consideration of the entire agreement. If then the undertaking of the defendant was collateral and within the statute of Frauds, it was simultaneous with the original undertaking, and supported by the same consideration — and upon the authority of Leonardvs. Vredenburgh, (8Johns. Rep. 29,) the parol evidence of the consideration was admissible. Leonardvs. Vredenburgh was decided upon deliberate consideration, and has been followed and confirmed in the subsequent cases, (Baileyvs. Freeman, 11Johns. Rep. 221. Nelsonvs. Dubois, 13Johns. Rep. 175,) and it is regarded as settled law in the state of New York.
4. The undertaking of the defendant was not collateral in any sense; but was an original undertaking, exclusively his and need not have been in writing.
By agreeing to ship the sugars and to consign them to thePage 496plaintiffs, on the account of Geo. D'Wolf, the defendant did not undertake to pay any debt of George D'Wolf, then existing, or about to be created. The defendant was the only person who undertook or was bound to make the shipment. He did not engage that Geo. D'Wolf should ship the sugars, or that he would ship on the default of George; but he assumed the entire and exclusive responsibility of providing and shipping the five hundred boxes, according to the terms of the letter.
5. The letter from George D'Wolf to Mr. Belknap, dated at Bristol on the 27th December, 1828, constituted Mr. Belknap the agent of George D'Wolf for the purpose of naming the vessel, on board of which the defendant was to make the shipment. It was intended as an authorization for that purpose, and was regarded as such both by Mr. Belknap and the defendant. But whatever objections might have been made by the defendant, either to the sufficiency of that authority, or to the right of George D'Wolf, after his bankruptcy, either to name the vessel, or to authorize Mr. Belknap, or any other person to do so, they were waived by the defendant in his letter to Mr. Belknap, under the date of the 6th of January, 1826, wherein he puts his refusal to ship the sugars on the single ground, that they had not been paid for.
The bill of exceptions is voluminous, and contains, at large, the evidence admitted at the trial, as well as the charge of thePage 497learned Judge who presided at the trial. It is unnecessary to refer to that evidence, or to consider its nature bearing and extent, upon which so ample a comment has been made at the bar, except so far as it applies to some question of law decided by the Court, to which an exception has been taken. The whole facts were left open to the jury, and so far as they were imperfect, or inconclusive, the defendant has had the full opportunity of addressing his views to the jury, and they have found their verdict against him.
In the progress of the trial, a letter of the 27th December 1825, written by George D'Wolf to Belknap, was offered by the defendants in evidence, for the purpose of showing an authority from George D'Wolf to Belknap, to direct or name a vessel to the defendant, on board of which the sugars might be shipped. The defendant objected to its admission, and the objection was overruled. This constitutes the first ground of error, now insisted on by the defendant. We are of opinion that the letter was rightly admitted, for both of the reasons stated in the charge. It was evidence of such an authority; and the defendant made no objection to it at the time, on account of any insufficiency in this respect; but put his defence by his letter of the 5th of January 1826, on an entirely distinct ground.
After the evidence for the plaintiffs was closed, the defendant moved for a nonsuit, which motion was overruled. This refusal certainly constitutes no ground for reversal in this Court. A nonsuit, may not be ordered by the Court, upon the application of the defendant, and cannot as we have had occasion to decide, at the present term, be ordered in any case without the consent and acquiescence of the plaintiff, Elmorevs. Grymes,ante, page 469. In the further progress of the trial, upon the examination of one Frederick G. Bull, a witness for the defendant, the counsel for the defendant offered to prove, by Bull, that it was an express understanding and agreement between the defendant and George D'Wolf, at the time the letter of the 15th November 1825 (which will be hereafter more particularly noticed,) was signed by the defendant; that the latter should furnish the defendant with the funds necessary for the purchase of the sugar, before the defendant would be under any obligation to ship the same. This testimony was rejected by the Court, unless it should also appear that Belknap was a party thereto, or that the same was brought home to his knowledge. We can perceive no error in this decision. If the defendant had entered into the contract with the plaintiffs, stated in the declaration, and the private arrangement made between the defendant and George D'Wolf, constituted no part of that contract, and was unknown to them, it certainly ought not to prejudice their rights. It wasres interalios acta;and had no legalPage 498tendency either to disprove the plaintiffs' case, or to exonerate the defendant from his liability.
The other exceptions are exclusively confined to the charge given to the jury, upon the summing of the Court, upon points of law.
The first objection was to the sufficiency of the evidence to establish the citizenship of Belknap, as averred in the declaration. This is now waived by the counsel, and indeed could not now be maintained, because it has been recently decided, by this Court, upon full consideration, that the question of such citizenship constitutes no part of the issue upon the merits, and must be brought forward by a proper plea in abatement, in an earlier stage of the cause.
The great question upon the merits, arises upon that part of the charge, which relates to the agreement contained in the letter of the 15th of November 1825, from George D'Wolf to the defendant, and the accompanying assent of the latter, with reference to the statute of Frauds.
That letter is in the following terms. —New York, 15th November1825.
MR. JAMES D'WOLF, JUN.
Dear Sir: — You will please ship for my account on board such vessel as I shall direct, five hundred boxes white Havana sugar consigned to Messrs. Rabaud, Brothers Co. Marseilles, and oblige your friend and obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE D'WOLF.
Agreed to, (Signed) JAMES D'WOLF, JUN.
Upon this part of the case, the charge was as follows: — "It is said that this letter, under the statute of Frauds, does not purport on its face to contain any binding contract on the part of the defendant, and that the defects cannot be supplied by parol evidence. This objection I think cannot be sustained. The first question to be settled, and which is matter of fact for your determination is, whether the arrangement between Belknap and George D'Wolf, as to the authority to draw on the house in Marseilles, on the shipment and consignment of five hundred boxes of sugar, and the undertaking of the defendant, were made and entered into at one and the same time, so as to form one entire transaction." The Judge then proceeded to sum up the evidence on this point and added — "The consideration for this undertaking was the authority given by Belknap to George D'Wolf, to draw on the plaintiffs for one hundred thousand francs. This consideration, it is true, although fully proved, is not expressed in the written contract. And one question is, whether it can be supplied by parol evidence; and I think it may, if the undertaking of the defendant was entered into atPage 499the same time, with that between Belknap and George D'Wolf, so as to form one entire transaction. The evidence does not, in any manner, contradict the written agreement; and is perfectly consistent with it; as between the plaintiffs and George D'Wolf the consideration might be clearly supplied by parol proof; and if the undertaking of the defendant was at the same time, it required no consideration from the plaintiffs to him, the consideration to George D'Wolf was sufficient to uphold and support the contract of the defendant." And he finally stated if he was mistaken in this view of the evidence "and the jury should be of opinion, that the contract between Belknap and George D'Wolf, was completed, and unconnected with the engagement of the defendant, before he undertook to make the shipment and consignment; then the evidence was not sufficient to maintain the present action. It will then be a collateral undertaking, made subsequent to the principal contract, and would require some other consideration than that which supported the principal contract."
The question then, so far as it was a question of fact, whether the defendant did enter into the asserted agreement with the plaintiffs and whether it was a part of the original arrangement, with George D'Wolf, and upon the original consideration moving from the plaintiffs, was before the jury, and they have found in the affirmative. The question of law remains, whether this was a case within the statute of Frauds, so as to prevent parol evidence from being admissible, to charge the defendant.
The statute of Frauds of New York, is a transcript, on this subject, of the statute of 29th of Charles 2, ch. 3. It declares "that no action shall be brought to charge a defendant on a special promise for the debt, default or miscarriage of another, unless the agreement, or some memorandum or note thereof be in writing and signed by the party, or by any one by him authorized." The terms "collateral" or "original" promise, do not occur in the statute, and have been introduced by Courts of law to explain its objects and expound its true interpretation. Whether by the true intent of the statute, it was to extend to cases where the collateral promise, (so called,) was a part of the original agreement, and founded on the same consideration moving at the same time between the parties; or, whether it was confined to cases, where there was already a subsisting debt and demand, and the promise was merely founded upon a subsequent and distinct undertaking; might, if the point were entirely new, deserve very grave deliberation. But it has been closed within very narrow limits by the course of the authorities, and seems scarcely open for general examination; at least in those states where the English authorities have been fullyPage 500recognised and adopted in practice. If A agree to advance B a sum of money, for which B is to be answerable, but at the same time it is expressed upon the undertaking, that C will do some act for the security of A, and enter into an agreement with A for that purpose; it would scarcely seem a case of a mere collateral undertaking; but rather, if one might use the phrase, a trilateral contract. The contract of B to repay the money, is not coincident with, nor the same contract with C to do the act. Each is an original promise, though the one may be deemed subsidiary, or secondary to the other. The original consideration flows from A, not solely upon the promise of B or C, but upon the promise of both,diverso intuita, and each becomes liable to A, not upon a joint but a several original undertaking. Each is a direct, original promise, founded upon the same consideration. The credit is not given solely to either, but to both; not as joint contractors, on the same contract, but as separate contractors upon co-existing contracts, forming parts of the same general transaction. Of that very nature is the contract now before the Court; and if the intention of all the parties was, that the letter of the 15th of November should be delivered to Belknap, as evidence of the original agreement between all the parties, and indeed as part execution of it, to bind the defendant not merely to George D'Wolf, but to the plaintiffs; (and so it has been established by the verdict;) then it is not very easy to distinguish the case from that which was put.
But assuming that the true construction of the statute of Frauds is, as the authorities seem to support, and that such a promise would be within its purview; it remains to consider whether the arguments at the bar do establish any error in the opinion of the Circuit Court.
In the first place, there is no repugnance between the terms of that letter and the parol evidence introduced. The object of the latter was to establish the fact, that there was a sufficient consideration for the agreement; and what that consideration was, and also the circumstances under which it was written, as explanatory of its nature and objects. Its terms do not necessarily import, that it was an agreement exclusively between George D'Wolf and the defendant. If the paper was so drawn up and executed, by the assent of all the parties, for the purpose of being delivered to Belknap, as a voucher, and evidence to him of an absolute agreement by the defendant to make the shipment, and so was in fact understood by all the parties at the time; there is nothing in its terms inconsistent with such an interpretation. The defendant agrees to the shipment. But with whom? It is said with George D'Wolf alone; but that does not necessarily follow, because it is not an instrument in its termsinter partes. If the parties intended that it should express the joint assentPage 501of George D'Wolf and the defendant, to the shipment, and it was deliverable to Belknap accordingly, as evidence of their joint assent that it should be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in it, there is nothing which contradicts its proper purport; and it is then, precisely, what the parties require it to be. It was for the jury to say, whether the evidence disclosed that as the true object of it; and to give it effect accordingly, as proof of an agreement in support of the declaration. The case of Sargentvs. Morris, (3Barn. Ald. 277) furnishes no uninstructive analogy for its admission.
In the next place, was the parol evidence inadmissible to supply the defect of the written instrument, as to the consideration, andres gestæ, between the parties. The case of Wainvs. Warlters, (5East, 10,) was the first case which settled the point, that it was necessary to escape from the statute of Frauds, that the agreement should contain the consideration for the promise, as well as the promise itself. If it contained it, it has since been determined that it is wholly immaterial whether the consideration be stated in express terms, or by necessary implication. That case has from its origin encountered many difficulties, and been matter of serious observation both at the bar, and on the bench, in England and America. After many doubts, it seems at last in England, by the recent decisions of Saundersvs. Wakefield, (4Barn. Ald. 595) and Jenkinsvs. Reynolds, (3Brod. Bing. 14,) to have settled down into an approved authority. It has however assumed a uniform recognition in America; although in several of the states, and particularly in New-York, it has to a limited extent been adopted into its jurisprudence, as a sound construction of the statute. On the other hand, there is a very elaborate opinion of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, in Packardvs. Richardson (17Mass. 122,) where its authority was directly overruled. What might be our own view of the question, unaffected by any local decision, it is unnecessary to suggest; because the decisions in New-York, upon the construction of its own statute, and the extent of the rules deduced from it, furnish, in the present, a clear guide for this Court. In the case of Leonardvs. Vredenburgh, (8John. R. 29.) Mr. Chief Justice Kent, in delivering the opinion of the Court, adverting to the fact that that case was one of a guarantee, or promise collateral to the principal contract, but made at the same time, and becoming an essential ground of the credit given to the principal or direct debtor; added, "and if there was no consideration other than the original transaction, the plaintiff ought to have been permitted to show that fact, if necessary by parol proof; and the decision in Wainvs. Warlters, did not stand in the way."
One of the points in that case was, whether the parol proofPage 502of the consideration was not improperly rejected at the trial and the decision of the Court was, that it ought to have been admitted. It is not therefore, as was suggested at the argument a mereobiter dictum, uncalled for by the case. It was one, though not the only one of the points in judgment before the Court. The same doctrine has been subsequently recognised by the same Court in Baileyvs. Freeman, (11Johns. R. 221,) and in Nelsonvs. Dubois, (13Johns. R. 175.)
It does not seem necessary to pursue this subject farther, because here is a clear authority justifying the admission of the parol evidence, upon the principal of the local jurisprudence It seems to us a reasonable doctrine, founded in good sense and convenience, and tending rather to suppress than encourage fraud. But whether so, or not, it sustains the opinion of the Circuit Court, in a manner entirely free from exception.
The next objection to the charge, founded on the variance between the declaration and proofs, has been abandoned at the argument, and need not be dwelt upon. And the last objection, to wit., to the designation of a vessel for the shipment as ineffectually made, has been already in part answered; and we entirely coincide with the views expressed on this point, by the Circuit Court.
Without therefore going more at large into the points of the case, or commenting upon the various authorities and principles so elaborately brought out in the discussions at the bar, it is sufficient to say, that we perceive no error in the judgment of the Circuit Court, and it is therefore to be affirmed with costs.Page 503
- Page 485 The following charge was delivered by Mr. Justice THOMPSON to the jury —
This case is of considerable importance in point of amount, and may be considered as a struggle between two innocent parties to throw off from their own shoulders a loss which must fall upon one or the other, by reason of the failure of George D'Wolf. In such cases, it is reasonable to expect that each party will urge with great zeal the points relied on to effect his object.
It has been distinctly stated by the counsel, that situated as this cause is, it is not probable that a decision here will put an end to the controversy, but that it will be carried to the Supreme Court of the United States; and to enable the parties to avail themselves of their rights in this respect, and to take exceptions to the opinion I may express, it may be necessary for me not only to be explicit, but to repeat in some measure what I have already had occasion to say in disposing of the motion for a nonsuit.
The result in the present case will depend principally upon the questions of law which are involved, and with which you have no concern. Some of these questions are, however, so connected with facts which it is your province to decide; and for the purpose of enabling the parties to avail themselves of whatever exceptions they may have to take, many remarks may be made in the course of my charge to you, which, in strictness, are not to be addressed to a jury.
The first question arising is, whether the plaintiffs have shown themselves entitled, under the Constitution and Laws of the United States, to come into this Court to prosecute their action. It has not been denied but that all the plaintiffs except Belknap are aliens, and have a right to bring their suit in this Court. The declaration avers, that Belknap is a citizen of the state of Massachusetts, and it is contended on the part of the defendant, that this averment has not been proved.
From the evidence, it appears, that Belknap was either born in Boston, or removed there with his father, at a very early age, from New-Hampshire, and continued to live in Boston until he went to France, where he remained ten or twelve years, when he returned to Boston. That he is an unmarried man, having no family; lives at lodgings; has rooms, as one of the witnesses understood, hired by the year, and is there about, two-thirds of the time. The residue of the time he is absent on business of the firm of which he is a partner, principally in New-York and Philadelphia, and other cities of the United States. One of the witnesses testified, that on one occasion he went with him to town meeting to vote at an election, he did not see him vote, but understood he went there for that purpose. All the witnesses, in answer to the general question, where was the home of Belknap, say it was at Boston, that they should address him at that place as his place of residence if they did not know of his absence. That letters from abroad are addressed to him at that place. These are the leading and principal facts in evidence as to Belknap's being a citizen of Massachusetts. That he is a citizen of the United States cannot be questioned; and if a citizen of any particular state within the sense and meaning of the Constitution and Law, it must be of Massachusetts. No evidence has been offered to raise a doubt on this point. Whenever absent from Boston it was temporarily, and on the business of the plaintiffs; and to deprive an American citizen of the right Page 486 of suing in this Court, on the ground of his not being a citizen of any particular state, there ought to be very strong evidence of his being a mere wanderer without a home. Belknap does not appear to stand in this situation. His domicil, his home, and permanent residence, may, with the greatest propriety, be said to be in Boston. There is no pretence that this was merely colourable, for the purpose of qualifying himself to bring this action; and to deprive him of that privilege would be extending this disability beyond the reason and policy of the law. The facts in relation to Belknap do not appear to be in dispute so far as I have understood them; and if, according to your understanding of the evidence, they are as I have stated, the averment that he is a citizen of the state of Massachusetts is sufficiently proved.
2. The next inquiry relates to the merits of the cause, and embraces the main question upon which the rights of the parties must be decided.
The action is founded on a special contract alleged to have been entered into by the defendant, and which he has not complied with. The declaration contains several counts, in which the cause of action is in some respects laid in different ways, but is substantially, that the defendant, in consideration that Belknap would authorize George D'Wolf to draw on the plaintiffs for one hundred thousand francs, undertook and promised to ship for account of George D'Wolf, on board such vessel as he should direct, five hundred boxes of white Havana sugar, consigned to the plaintiffs in this cause, accompanied with the necessary averments and allegations of breaches. And the great question is, whether this contract has been proved by such evidence as to make it legally binding on the defendant.
The letter of the 15th of November, 1825, from George D'Wolf to the defendant, requesting him to ship for his account five hundred boxes of white Havana sugar, consigned to the plaintiffs, and underwritten by the defendant "agreed to," is the principal evidence in this cause to establish the contract.
It is said, that this letter under the statute of Frauds, does not, on its face, contain any binding contract on the part of the defendant, and that the defects cannot be supplied by parol evidence. This objection, I think, cannot be sustained. The first question to be settled, and which is matter of fact for your determination, is, whether the arrangement between Belknap and George D'Wolf, as to the authority to draw on the house in Marseilles on the shipment and consignment of five hundred boxes of sugar, and the undertaking of the defendant, were made and entered into at one and the same time, so as to form one entire transaction. The evidence on this point rests principally on the deposition of George D'Wolf. For although Mr. Bull did not hear the defendant assent to the arrangement, yet, from his own statement, such an arrangement or contract might have been entered into by the defendant without his hearing it; it is, therefore, at most, but a negative kind of evidence, and ought not to outweigh the positive testimony of George D'Wolf, unless he is discredited in some way, of which you will judge. His testimony is in writing, and will be submitted to the jury when they withdraw to make up their verdict. They will read and judge for themselves. I understood him to say, that the defendant was with him when they first met in Wall street, and had some conversation about the authority to draw, and the shipment of the sugar, he, George D'Wolf, then Page 487 stating to Belknap that he had between three and four hundred boxes of the sugar then in the defendant's possession; that a time was appointed to meet at the defendant's counting-house to negotiate further on the subject; that such meeting did take place, and the agreement then concluded, as contained in the letter of the 15th of November, 1825. The consideration for this undertaking was the authority given by Belknap to George D'Wolf, to draw on the plaintiffs for a hundred thousand francs. This consideration, it is true, although fully proved, is not expressed in the written contract. And one question is, whether it can be supplied by parol evidence; and I think it may, if the undertaking of the defendant was entered into at the same time with that between Belknap and George D'Wolf, so as to form one entire transaction. This evidence does not in any manner contradict the written agreement, but is perfectly consistent with it. As between the plaintiffs and George D'Wolf, the consideration might clearly be supplied by parol proof; and if the undertaking of the defendant was at the same time, it required no consideration moving from the plaintiffs to him; the consideration to George D'Wolf was sufficient to uphold and support the contract of the defendant. The undertaking of the defendant to make the shipment, was certainly the principal, if not the sole consideration upon which Belknap authorized the drafts on the plaintiffs; for George D'Wolf says expressly, that he does not believe the authority would have been given without such undertaking by the defendant; so that it might be urged with great force that the whole credit was given and rested on the engagement of the defendant to make the shipment. If the contract of the defendant was entered into at the counting-house at the time mentioned, it is of no consequence that the letter was not signed until the day after. This was only reducing to form, and putting into the shape agreed upon, and consummating the arrangement, and would have relation, as between these parties, to the time when the agreement was, in point of fact, entered into.
But if I should be mistaken in this view of the evidence, and the jury should be of opinion that the contract between Belknap and George D'Wolf was completed, and unconnected with the engagement of the defendant, before he undertook to make the shipment and consignment, then the evidence is not sufficient to maintain the present action. It would then be a collateral undertaking made subsequent to the principal contract, and would require some other consideration than that which supported the principal contract. Whether it is indispensable that such consideration should be expressed in the written agreement or not, it is unnecessary to decide, because no such consideration has been proved, if it was admissible to supply it by parol evidence.
3. It is said in the next place, that the plaintiffs have failed in establishing a right to recover in this action, by reason of a variance between the allegation in the declaration and the proof in support of it, in relation to the letter of advice from Belknap to his copartners, apprizing them of his having authorized the drafts of George D'Wolf. The declaration alleges, "that in consideration that the plaintiffs would authorize George D'Wolf to draw upon them for one hundred thousand francs, the defendant undertook and promised, c." But that the written authority shown in evidence was in blank as to the sum to be drawn, and that in this consisted the variance.
This letter being in blank, cannot be set up as a variance between the allegation and the proof. The declaration does not state that the authority Page 488 was in writing, or refer in any way to the letter in question; and George D'Wolf swears that he was authorized to draw on the plaintiffs for one hundred thousand francs. That in pursuance of such authority he did draw upon them for that sum, and his bills were accepted and paid. The drafts which accompanied the letter of advice showed the amount, and the bills having been paid, the blank is of no importance in the present action.
4. The next inquiry is, whether any vessel was designated to receive the sugars according to the terms of the agreement. By the contract, the sugars were to be shipped on board such vessel as George D'Wolf should direct. He, having become insolvent, wrote a letter to Belknap, authorizing him to make arrangement with the defendant on this subject, and to designate the vessel; which he accordingly did, and gave notice thereof to the defendant, and demanded the shipment of the sugars. This was amply sufficient. The authority reserved to George D'Wolf, to direct in what vessel the shipment should be made, was for his benefit, which he might waive. He was not bound personally to designate such vessel; he might do this by his agent, and the authority given to Belknap was constituting him such agent for that purpose; and the act of Belknap in this respect, was, in judgment of law, the act of George D'Wolf; and it is in proof, that the vessel designated was in every respect fitted for the purpose. Nor was any objection made by the defendant at the time on this ground; but he declined making the shipment, because George D'Wolf had not furnished him with funds to purchase the sugars; and the objection that the vessel was not designated by George D'Wolf cannot now be set up. The act of his agent was his act, and the evidence, therefore, fully supports the contract as laid in the declaration.
5. The only remaining question is as to the rule by which the damages are to be ascertained. Upon this subject much of the evidence which has been introduced on the part of the plaintiffs, and the various estimates and calculations which have been submitted to the jury, may be entirely laid aside, according to the view which I have taken of the question. I concur with the defendant's counsel on this point, that the measure of damages must be the value of the sugars in New-York, at the time of the breach of the contract by the defendant, in refusing to make the shipment according to his contract. If this was a question between George D'Wolf and the plaintiffs, for settling the account of the proceeds of the sugars, had they been shipped, it might have required the application of different principles. But the breach of the contract on the part of the defendant, consists in not making the shipment and consignment according to his undertaking. He did not undertake to deliver the sugars to the plaintiffs at Marseilles. He had no concern with the transportation or the expenses incident thereto. If he had shipped the sugars on board the vessel designated, consigned to the plaintiffs, his contract would have been complied with. The plaintiffs are accordingly entitled to recover the value of the sugars in New-York, at the time when the defendant was bound by his contract to make the shipment. This amount the jury will ascertain from the evidence that has been offered them on that subject. ↩ - Page 493 Buckmyrvs. Darnall, 2L. Ray. 1085. Andersonvs. Hayman, 1H.B. 120. Gordonvs. Martyn,Fitz. 302. Matsonvs. Wharham, 2T.R. 80. Jonesvs. Ballard, Chasevs. Day, 17.John. 114.Baller's N.P. 280.c. 281. Jacksonvs. Raynor, 12John. 291. ↩