Jackson v. Porter

8 Mart. (N.S.) 200

• Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana
• Decided: September 15, 1829
• Status: Published

Opinion

Martin, J.

delivered the opinion of the court. The plaintiff, Jackson, claims under a sale of the other, a tract of land in the possession of the defendant, who purchased it from the vendor’s attorney at an anterior sale.— There was judgment for the defendant and the plaintiffs appealed.

The evidence shows, that the plaintiff Martin, being owner of a strip of land between that of the defendant and that of the other plaintiff had appointed Isaac L. and Joshua Baker, who were in partnership as attorneys at law, and for the sale of land, slaves &c. to sell the premises, if they could obtain $4000 therefor: that neither the defendant or the plaintiff Jackson would give that price in the first instance, that the defendant employed Mr. Caffrey to endeavor to purchase the premises from the plaintiff Martin, who being written to, did not name any particular price, but said lie had thought of asking $6000: and requested Caffrey to state the highest price that would be offered. In the mean while the defendant purchased the premises from the Bakers, neither he or they having any knowledge of the plaintiff Martins answer to Caffrey: But afterwards, and before the deed was executed by the Bakers to the defendant, the answer of the plaintiff Martin was made known to the defendant, and by him immediately communicated to the Bakers.

At the trial, the plaintiffs insisted on the production of the articles of partnership of the Bakers, and opposed parol evidence of the nature of their partnership. These objections were overruled; the production of the articles was dispensed with, and parol evidence was received of the nature of the partnership.

We think the district judge did not err. Admitting that the articles would have shewn, that the partnership did not extend to sales of land and slaves—if the partners afterwards agreed to an extension of its object; and as proved, actually engaged in such sales, they would be within the scope of their partnership, as much as if a clause in the articles authorised them.

But in the present case, the plaintiff Martin does not declare his intention, that the land should not be sold for $4000, but only to ask $6000: an intimation is given, that the offer of a less sum will be attended to. Under these circumstances we think the jury did not err in concluding, that the powers of the Bakers were unaffected by the knowledge they received of the contents of their principal’s letter to Caffrey.

The deed was executed by Isaac L. Baker, who affixed to it the signature of the firm of Isaac L. and Joshua Baker as attorneys of the plaintiff Martin.

Parol evidence was received without any objection of the written assent of Joshua Baker to his partner’s execution of the deed of sale.

A partnership may be appointed agent or attorney for the performance of any act or duty, which comes within t he object for which the partnership is formed: and the responsibility of such trust or agency attaches to all the members, and they are entitled to all the advantages resulting therefrom; although one of them may execute the trust in the partnership name, unless it be differently provided in the partnership. — La. code, 2790.

Where a partnership is appointed to perform a trust or agency foreign to the object for which such partnership is formed, the appointment is not void. It may be performed in the name of the partnership, if all the partners assent. — La. code, 2791.

In the present case there is evidence, that the agency was not foreign to the object of the partnership, and of the assent of both partners. The deed was duly executed.

The land passed by the conveyance, and the subsequent sale by one of the plaintiffs to the other cannot effect the defendant’s title.

We have been strongly pressed to allow damages for a frivolous appeal: but the case does not appear to justify a claim for damages.

Simon and Garland for the plaintiffs. Bowen and Brownson for the defendant.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment of the district court be affirmed with costs.