Garland v. Stewart

31 Miss. 314

• Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
• Decided: April 15, 1856
• Status: Published

Opinion

Fisher, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The defendants in error brought this action in the Circuit Court of Hinds county, to recover the sum of $600, and interest thereon, being, the price which it is alleged the plaintiff in error agreed to pay for a certain slave, sold to him by the defendants in error.

The defence set up was, that the contract was not complete, and that the slave died before. the contract was completed. The material facts, as disclosed by the evidence of the plaintiffs below, are these: Hilzheim proves that in 1852, he agreed to purchase from Stewart, one of the plaintiffs, the said slave, that the witness was authorized and directed by the defendant to make the purchase, at the sum of $600, to be paid by a draft on the house of P. & H. Hilzheim, falling due the 1st of January, 1853, “that this proposition was fully assented to by the plaintiff and the defendants;” that at the time of the purchase, the slave was sick at the residence of Stewart, about four miles from Jackson; that this fact was known to the defendant; the woman being in fact unsound, and worth, if sound, as much as $1500. “ That defendant some time afterwards, in a conversation with Stewart said, that he would send his little wagon to Stewart’s for the slave, when she got well enough to be removed.” This was said in reply to a remark of Stewart, that the slave might, if desired by Garland, remain at his (Stewart’s) house, until she got well enough to be removed.” “That the draft was never drawn or accepted pursuant to the agreement; that the slave was not at the time delivered to the defendant; that when informed of the arrangement he assented to it, and that witness agreed to accept the draft.” To the same effect, a letter written by the defendant below to Stewart, was read in evidence. It is as follows: — “Your letter of the 8th and 12th inst., has just been handed me by our mutual friend, Mrs. H. Hilzheim. The proposition you made in regard to the sale of your servant woman is accepted by me — $600— payable on the 1st day of January next, by my draft on H. & P. Hilzheim of Jackson.”

.We have quoted so much of the testimony as relates to the completion of the contract, and the question is, whether it is sufficient for that purpose, to wit: to show in the language of the books, “that the bargain was struck.”

It has not been thought necessary to notice the testimony of the defendant; for admitting that it is what counsel say it is — direct and clear that the contract was not completed — it still would produce but a conflict in the evidence, and thus leaving the question to the jury, whose verdict would be, except in a very clear case, conclusive on this point. But to return to the plaintiff’s testimony. It is certain that the contract, so far as the vendors were concerned, was considered as complete; the proposition to sell was accepted by the defendant; the price, and manner of payment, were both agreed upon, and the slave subject to the purchaser’s control. Upon being told that the slave was too unwell to be removed, he replied, that he would send his little wagon for. her as soon as she was well enough to be removed. It is manifest that the indisposition of the slave was the only reason why she was not immediately delivered. She was delivered in point of fact, so far as a delivery could then be made. Stewart said to Garland, that “the slave can remain at my house, if you so desire, until she is well enough to be removed.” This was a matter about which Garland was left free to exercise his choice, which he did — as any prudent man would have done under the circumstances — by leaving his property where it ought to remain, at least for a short time. Stewart could not be understood, by merely proposing a friendly or neighborly act, as assuming the attitude of a warrantor, or as making the slave’s recovery a condition in the contract. Her condition was already understood, and the price regulated accordingly.

We are, therefore, of opinion, that the verdict of the jury— finding that the contract was so far completed as to work a change of property — must be sustained. If Garland, from what was done, acquired the right of property to the slave, the loss must fall upon him. He could acquire the right of property without acquiring the right of possession. The latter he could only claim upon complying with his part of the agreement. 2 Kent, 492.

But it is said that he acted as agent of Ware, in making the purchase, and is therefore not liable. The answer to this position is, that he undertook to give his own draft, and never proposed, in any manner, to bind Ware for the purchase-money.

Judgment affirmed.

Smith, C. J., gave no' opinion.