Stephens v. Brodnax

COLLIER, C. J. 1. From the order in relation to a new trial, we leam that the defendant did not object to a judgment against him for eight hundred dollars, not that he was willing to submit to a recovery for that amount and take the chances of a second trial as to the residue of the plaintiff’s demand, either with or without the condition annexed by the court. If the plaintiffs would not consent to take that sum as the amount of the judgment, then he moved the court to set aside the verdict, that the cause might.be re-tried in toto. The order made was materially different from that asked, and its efficacy must of course depend upon the acceptance of its terms ; and this could only be manifested by the defendant’s performance of the act required. It is not shown by the record, that the defendant consented to accept a new trial on the condition imposed, nor will it be competent for him at any future time to avail himself of it. By prosecuting a writ of error on the judgment which was rendered, he affirms that it is still in force, and has elected to consider the or [262] der, which is a conditional vacation of it in part, as wholly inoperative. If the defendant had complied with the order of court, he could not have complained of any error which occurred at the trial. His assent to the judgment which would then have been rendered, would have divested the case of all legal objection, and been a virtual withdrawal of the bill of exceptions. And if it were allowable for him to avail himself of a new trial, if unsuccessful here, we should not hesitate to dismiss the writ of error. The case of Dale v. Moseley, [4 S. & Porter’s Rep. 371,] is unlike the present, upon the point we are considering. That was the trial of the right of property to two slaves. The jury found a verdict against the claimant, who moved for a new trial, which was granted as to one of the slaves, and refused as to the other. No act was required to be done by the claimant to entitle himself to a second trial, but the order was absolute: The court held that it was competent for the claimant to have refused a new trial, and to have brought up the entire case for revision, but having impliedly accepted it he could not prosecute a writ of error as to so much of the judgment as remained in force. What we have said may be quite enough on this point; but as it is not entirely out of place, we would remark, that as a new trial is not a matter of right, the court granting it may annex terms to the exercise of its discretion, which the parties may accept or reject, according as one or the other may be required to act. Nor is the power of the court restricted to awarding a second trial of the entire case, it may, with the assent of the parties, direct the judgment to be rendered as to part, and a new trial to be had as to the other matters in controversy. Whether the court could stipulate with the party only, who makes the motion, that he shall have a new trial as to a part, if he allow a judgment to be entered as to the remainder, we will not undertake to say, as our conclusion might conflict with what was said arguen-do in Dale v. Moseley. [See, however, Hutchinson v. Piper, 4 Taunt. Rep. 555.] 2. Whether the bill of exceptions sets out all the evidence adduced at the trial, or whether any, or what other evidence was offered, we have no means of judging. After copying the notes it proceeds as'follows: “Upon this evidence the defendant requested the court to charge the jury, that the bare possession of [263] these notes by the plaintiffs, without proof,” &c. The reasonable inference is, that there was no other evidence introduced pertinent to the matter of the charge prayed, or it would not have been asked upon the mere production of the notes. Thus interpreting the bill of exceptions, the question is, can a person who has paid a promissory note without the request of ihe maker, which he was not bound either mediately or immediately to pay, recover the amount of the maker in an action of indebitatus as-sumpsit in his own naime. This question came directly before the court in Weakly v. Brahan & Atwood, [2 Stew’t Rep. 500,] where the court say «it is a well ascertained rule of law, that one person cannot make another his debtor against his consentand where one man pays money for another without his request, he cannot recover it of the latter by action of assumpsit in his own aiame. This rule, of course, does not extend to purchases made of instruments which are so assigned as to vest the legal interest in the assignee. And where one purchases a demand not assignable, whether evidenced by writing or not, he may sue in the name of the person in whom the legal right was vested. Authorities are numerous to sustain the case cited. [Richardson v. McRay, 1 Const. Rep. 472; Mayor, &c. of Baltimore v. Hughes, 1 Gill. & Johns. Rep. 497; Turner v. Egerton, ibid. 433; Rens-salaer Glass Factory v. Reid, 5 Cow. Rep. 603 ; Rumney v. Ellsworth, 4 N. Hamp. Rep. 138 ; Little v. Gibbs, 1 South. R. 213; Jones v. WilSon, 3 Johns. Rep. 434; Menderback v. Hopkins, 8 ibid. 436 ; Beach v. Vanderburgh, 10th Johns. Rep. 361; Overseers ofWalkillv. Overseers of Mamataking, 14 ibid. 436.] Although money is paid for a third person, yet if the latter promise to repay it, the person thus advancing money may maintain enaction of assumpsit for its recovery. In such case, the law either infers a previous request from the subsequent promise, or else supposes that the payment of money for another’s benefit imposes a sufficient obligation in morals to sustain a promise, [Hassinger v. Solm, 5 Sergt. & R. Rep. 9; Shrewsbury v. Boylston, 1 Pick. Rep. 105.] In'this view of the law, it is clear that the charge as prayed should have been given to the jury. The absence of proof did not require the prayer to have been so framed as to ask the court to inform the jury, that a promise to pay would have authorised [264] the plaintiffs to sue; but it went far enough under the circumstances of the case. 3. There can be no doubt if an indorser, surety or any other person whose liability to pay a debt is accessorial, discharge it, but he may reimburse himself by an action against the principal debtor. [Shearman, et al, v. Akins, 4 Pick. Rep. 283 ; Hassinger v. Solms; supra. It cannot be inferred, in the absence of all proof, where one person pays a debt for another, that he acts as the agent of the debtor, and advances his own money for him.— There should be some proof of agency in such case; what will be sufficient we will not undertake to sa)'-. If the agency were established, whether there should be evidence to authorise the presumption that the payment was made with the agent’s means, or whether the implication would be, that he was in funds of his principal, we need not determine. If there was an entire absence of proof on these points, to say the least, the charge to the jury was unnecessary. This view disposes of the questions raised upon the argument; and the conclusion is, that the judgment of the Circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded.