Lewis v. Littlefield

The case-was continued for advisement, and the opinion of the Court subsequently drawn up by Shepley J. While the general rule is admitted, that a contract cannot be converted into a tort by the form of action to charge an infant, a difference of opinion in the application of it will be found in the decided cases. It has been decided, that an action on the case for deceit cannot be maintained against an infant for knowingly and falsely warranting a horse to be sound. 2 Marshall, 483. And Gibbs C. J. in that case, cites the case of Cross v. Androes, which decided, that an infant was not liable for the loss of goods, committed to his care as an innkeeper. And it has been decided, that such an action cannot be maintained against an infant for selling as his own the goods of another. 1 Keb. 778; Curtin v. Patton, 11 S. & R. 310. And yet such an action seems to have been sustained upon similar principles. 1 Nott & McCord, 197. A difference of opinion has arisen also under what circumstances and in what form of action an infant is chargeable for the abuse, or misuse of a horse hired. In Jennings v. Rundall, 8 T. R. 335, it was decided, that case or trover would not lie against an infant, for immoderately riding a horse so that it was damaged, when hired for use. Aud in the case of Campbell v. Stakes, 2 Wend. 137, where an infant drove a hired horse with such violence, that it died, it was decided, that case would not lie, as it supposed the defendant to have a rightful possession, but that trespass would lie for a wilful or intentional injury. In the case of Homer v. Thwing, 3 Pick. 492, it was decided, that an infant was liable in trover where he hired a horse to go to one place and went to another and injured tile horse. In a like case of hiring and use, where the horse was killed, it was decided, that an action on the case for damages could not be maintained; and the case of Homer v. Thwing, was regarded as [236] erroneous. Penrose v. Curren, 3 Rawle, 351, Rogers J. remarks, that, “ the fundamental error in the case, consists in considering the conduct of the infant as a violation of the contract, whereas there was no contract, that could be enforced.” In the case of Campbell v. Stakes, it is said, that if the infant should sell the horse, trover would lie. And in Penrose v. Curren, it is said, “ whenever a person has not parted' with his property then he can assert his right as well against an infant as an adult, as in every kind of bailment; and if the conversion had been the non-delivery of the horse and carriage hired, the owner might have maintained detinue, replevin or trover.” Where goods were delivered to a mate of a vessel, a minor, to be delivered to a foreign merchant, and he sold them and used the money, it was decided, that a special action on the case would lie. Peigne v. Sutcliffe, 4 McCord, 387. So detinue will lie against an infant, where goods were delivered for a special purpose not accomplished. Mills v. Graham, 4 B. & P. 140. In the case of Vasse v. Smith, 6 Cranch, 226, Marshall C. J. says, “ this Court is of opinion, that infancy is no complete bar to an action of trover, although the goods converted be in his possession in virtue of a previous contract. The conversion is still in its nature a tort; it is not an act of omission but of commission, and within that class of offences for which infancy cannot afford protection.” Mr. Justice Story, in his treatise on bailments, says, “ if an infant receive a deposit, he is bound by the general principles of law to restore it, if it is in his possession or control; but he is not responsible if he loses it.” Story on Bailments, 35. And Kent says of an infant, “ he is liable in trover for tortously converting goods intrusted to him.” 2 Kent, 241. It will be perceived, that the general rule, that an infant is liable for goods entrusted to his care and converted by him, is not questioned in any of these cases. What amounts to proof of conversion has occasioned the difference between the courts of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. And if it be difficult to perceive, that a violation of a contract, which the law does not regard as binding, would amount to a conversion of the property; there may be equal [237] difficulty in understanding why there has not been a conversion when a horse has been hired and killed by bad usage. And it would seem, that in the cases of Campbell v. Stakes, and of Penrose v. Curren, the plaintiffs might have recovered upon a count in trover. For that form of action does not suppose, that a contract has existed; and the infant could not be excused for not delivering the horse by alleging his own misconduct. All wagers in this State being unlawful, no question is raised in the present case, except upon the liability of the defendant in this form of action for refusing to deliver property entrusted to his care, after a demand and refusal, and in such a case there does not appear to be any doubt, that the action may be maintained. Exceptions overruled.