Peck v. Abbe

Williams, Ch. J. The plaintiffs, having proved the delivery of the goods to one of the defendants, attempt to charge the other, Abbe, by connecting him, as a partner, with Wild-man, by his conduct and by his writings. The defendant Abbe, on his part, proposes, by his own testimony, to explain these acts, and show, that there is no such writing in existence, [210] or that it was never delivered. The plaintiffs say, this cannot be done; that the parties are not unlimited witnesses; that these are enquiries collateral to the book ; and that the parties, therefore, cannot testify regarding them. They further claim, that as the action of book debt originated only from necessity, it ought not to be extended further than the necessity requires; and that the rule is, that the parties can testify only to the quantity, quality and delivery of the goods. These objections will each be considered, though not in this precise order. That the action of book debt is, in some measure, peculiar to New-England, is admitted ; though in other states, under certain limitations, they admit parties to testify to their accounts. That it is founded upon a supposed necessity, arising from the peculiar situation of the parties, and perhaps, in some measure, upon the solitary circumstances of individuals in a new country, may be also admitted. But this necessity is not the necessity of the individual case on trial, but of the class of cases to which it belongs. One man sells a bushel of corn to his neighbour, no other being present; he charges it on his book ; and could never recover, unless his book, or his oath, or both, were sufficient evidence. Necessity, therefore, requires this evidence. Another sells corn to his neighbour, surrounded with his family ; of course, the same necessity of his oath, or book, does not exist. Still the charge is of the same class with the other, and may be supported in the same way. So far as it regards the testimony, therefore, the enquiry is not, whether the party in that case could not have other testimony, but whether the case itself is of the class or character, which will support this action. The cases of Bradley v. Goodyear, Beach v. Mills, and Terrill v. Beecher, cited by the plaintiffs, are of the last class, and Bryan v. Jackson, 4 Conn. Rep. 288., is of the former. If, therefore, the plaintiffs’ action is adapted to their case, the question as to the testimony of the parties will depend upon other circumstances than its necessity, although if that is important, it is very apparent, that when a secret partnership is to be proved, facts may exist within the knowledge of the plain- tiffs, known only to them, and upon faith of which the credit was given, all-important to the event of the cause. It is further objected to the testimony of the defendants, that the testimony of the parties is not unlimited, but that it is con- fined to the quantity, the quality and the delivery of the goods. goods. [211] That the parties are not unlimited witnesses, is perfectly clear. They cannot testify to a tender, a release or waiver of the statute of limitations; for such testimony is not quoad the book debt, nor in support or confutation of the account. Weed v. Bishop, 7 Conn. Rep. 132. On the other hand, the rule laid down in Phenix v. Prindle, that the party can testify only to the quantity, quality and delivery of the articles charged, though it would seem correct in theory, has not been regarded in practice. On the contrary, Ch. J. Hosmer says, “ conformable as it is to principle, it has not the support of precedent or practice.” Daggett, J. says, more extended construction has been given to the statute.” 4 Conn. Rep. 292. 7 Conn. Rep. 131. If a rule proposed by the comprehensive mind from which this emanated, has been found inadequate to meet the various cases that have since arisen, it may be in vain to attempt a general rule upon the subject. The one proposed by the late Ch. J. Hosmer, and sanctioned by this court, is, that when proper articles are charged on book, the parties, quoad the book debt, are admissible, like all other witnesses, to testify freely and fully in support or confutation of the account. Bryan v Jackson, 4 Conn. Rep. 292. In the case before us, the plaintiffs deduced evidence of the existence of the partnership from the conduct of the defendant Abbe, and from his entries. He certainly best knew himself as to the cause of his visits to the shop, and the motives of his conduct. These being thus drawn in question, it is difficult to see why the defendant Abbe should not be permitted to explain them. If the plaintiffs may prove the partnership, by their oath, the defendant may deny it, upon his oath. It has been decided, long since, and recently confirmed, by this court, that a plaintiff in book debt may support his account, by his own oath, as to the admissions of the defendant. Johnson v. Gunn, 2 Root, 130. Bryan v. Jackson, 4 Conn. Rep. 288. The plaintiffs, then, might have been admitted to testify, that the defendants told them they were partners. The defendants then, of course, must have been admitted to deny it, and to state facts inconsistent with it. As the plaintiffs could swear to the defendants’ admissions, could they not testify to other circumstances tending to the same result; such as these-that they often saw the defendant at the shop, waiting upon cus [212] tomers, and writing in the books, and doing other acta common to owners? Such facts have an important bearing upon the great fact in controversy, viz, that the goods are properly charged. And if the plaintiffs could swear to these facts, in support of their claim, it can hardly be contended, that the defendants could not be permitted to controvert them, by their oaths. It was also claimed, that the partnership was proved, by a written agreement; and it is asked, shall the defendant, by his own testimony, be permitted to destroy its effect? Certainly not, if that agreement is proved; but that is the point in dispute. The defendant Abbe says, there never was such an agreement; it was never completed, because it was never delivered. How would it be, if instead of this agreement, the plaintiffs had founded their claim upon an order from the defendant, which he denied? He says, he never gave such an order. Would it be doubted, that he might testify to that fact? Might he not testify, that it was a forgery, or taken feloniously, or extorted by duress. The plaintiffs could swear, that they delivered the goods, upon his order, to his servant. Surely, then, the defendant must be permitted to deny the delivery, to his order, or to his servant, as well as to himself. If goods are delivered to a woman, calling herself wife of the defendant, cannot he testify, that she was not his wife? Or if the ques- tion were, whether the goods were necessaries for a wife or child, might not the defendant testify, that they were amply supplied with necessaries? All the evidence on that subject is tending to prove, or disprove, the delivery of the goods to the defend- ant; and is, therefore, within the principle laid down in Phenix v. Prindle. Again, it is said, that the partnership agreement is collateral to the principle question in this case. If so, how is it that the plaintiffs have introduced this agreement, on their part? Look at the facts. The goods in question were delivered to the de- fendant Wildman; but the plaintiffs’ claim is against Wild- man and Abbe. To prove the delivery to Abbe, the plaintiffs resort to proof that the delivery to Wildman, is a delivery to Wild- man and Abbe; and for that purpose, introduced this agree- ment. That, then, is the authority upon which this charge is made; it is the voucher of the plaintiffs’ book; it is the pil- lar upon which the plaintiffs rest their cause. How, then, can can [213] it be said to be collateral to the main inquiry? It is rather a part of it; just as a verbal direction or a written order from Abbe would have been void without it. There is no proof of a delivery. It is, then, to use the language of Ch. J. Hosmer, proof quoad the book, going directly to support it, and to justify the plaintiffs’ charge; and if this court were right in the opinion they gave in Bryan v. Jackson, that when proper articles are charged upon book, the parties, quoad the book, are admissible to testify freely and fully, in support or confutation of the account, then Abbe should have been admitted to confute this account of the plaintiffs, by his own testimony, as to the most essential fact to be made out by the plaintiffs, as to the delivery of the goods to him. This not having been done, the court are of opinion, that a new trial must be granted ; and so advise the superior court. The other Judges concurred-Church and Waite, Js. with some hesitation. New trial to be granted.