Wright v. Caldwell

[53] By the Court, Whipple, J. It does not appear in proof in this case, nor was it pretended in argument, that there was an actual delivery of the trunk to any person employed on the boat, or that notice that the plaintiff intended to take passage, or that he had deposited his baggage at the place stated, was given to the master, clerk, or other person; if a right to recover therefore can be maintained, it must be on the principle that there was a constructive delivery of the trunk,and that it was received as the baggage-of a passenger to be transported to the point of destination.. It is admitted by the counsel for the plaintiff, that to hold a common carrier liable in respect to property lost the course of his employment, it is incumbent on him to show a delivery of the property.to the carrier, and its acceptance by him, for purposes contemplated by the parties; But while this general principle of law is unquestioned, its force and effect is sought to be obviated by the special’circumstances of this case. It is contended that the general-principle is controlled by the usage established by the proof.It is well settled by a series of adjudications, of high authority, that if a uniform custom is established and recognized’, by the carrier, and is known to the public, that property intended for carriage may be deposited in a particular place,, without express notice to him that a deposit of property for that purpose in accordance with the custom, is constructive notice, and would render any other form of delivery unnecessary. The rule is founded in reason; as the usage, if habitual, is a declaration by the carrier to the public, that a delivery of property in accordance with the usage, will be deemed an acceptance of it by him for the purpose of transportation. To allow a carrier, when property is thus delivered, to set up by way of defence the general rule which requires express notice, would operate as a fraud upon-the public,'and lead to manifest injustice. There was proof in this case from which a jury might infer that it was the usual [54] practice for passengers on the steamboat Telegraph, to deposit their baggage in a particular place, and that further notice of delivery or acceptance was waived. A careful examination of the record,'however, shows that the facts thus proved were inapplicable to the issue made up between the parties. The declaration seeks to charge the defendants for the loss of the trunk and its contents, received by them for the purpose of being transported to St. Clair. There is no averment that the trunk thus delivered contained the ordinary wearing apparel of a person who had taken passage on the boat, or that it was received as such. The fact that the plaintiff was a passenger, and took passage in the boat, was essential to a recovery, and in that the proof, with all the evidence received and acted upon respecting the usage, was indirect. There is no pretence that any custom - prevailed in respect to the receipt of property as freight. Notice of delivery and acceptance for sdch purpose, is controlled by the general law. The proof is conclusive that the mode of delivery, as sanctioned by the usage, was applicable exclusively to the ordinary baggage of a passenger, and had no application to property received and agreed to be transported as freight. The custom is believed to be universal, to allow passengers in any of the usual modes of conveyance, to carry free of charge such wearing apparel as may be necessary or convenient, and the price paid by the ^passenger constitutes the consideration for the safe keeping and transportation of his ordinary baggage. If a trunk, therefore, is deposited with a carrier, without being accompanied by a jpassenger, it is received as freight, and is liable to the payment of ordinary charges, and notice of its delivery to the carrier and of acceptance must be given, according to the rules of law, before any liability can attach in case of loss. The ruling of the Circuit Court was consequently erroneous, in asserting that the proof in the case was sufficient to Bhow a delivery. It may be proper to. add that there, is no [55] averment in the declaration of any consideration paid or agreed to be paid for the transportation of the trunk and its contents, nor was there any proof to that effect offered on' the trial. It seemed to have been assumed by the plaintiff that the mere circumstance that the trunk was deposited in the boat at the place indicated, and its subsequent loss, was all that was necessary to fix the liability of the defendants. It is very clear that to exhibit a cause of action, it is necessary to aver, either that he was a passenger on board the boat, and that in consideration of a reasonable sum paid or to be paid, the defendants agreed to convey him and' his ordinary baggage to St. Clair, or that they received and accepted the trunk to be carried for a reasonable consideration, as freight. If the plaintiff was a passenger, and there was an averment to that effect, then the proof offered and received would have been pertinent; if not, then it is equally clear that it would have been inapplicable in the absence of any evidence taken to show a usage which would have dispensed with the notice required by the general rule of law. It must be certified to the Circuit Court of the county of St. Clair, as the opinion of this Court, that the proof in the case does not show a delivery of the trunk and its contents by the plaintiffj so as to create a lien on the steamboat Telegraph, and that upon such proof the plaintiff is not entitled to recover. Secondly: As the declaration is- for a breach of the contract of affreightment, there was error in permitting the .plaintiff to prove by his own oath the contents of said.trank.