Poydras v. Taylor

Garland, J. delivered the opinion of the court. The object of this suit and the facts of the case are fully stated in the opinion of the court, delivered last week, in the case of Poydras v. Taylor and others, Ante 12. Hiriart was made one of the defendants in that suit, and it was alleged he was the purchaser of two of the slaves, affected by the will of the late Julien Poydras, which were sold to him (Hiriart) by Taylor, and tie [18] sale asked to be annulled. Hiriart excepted to the jurisdiction of the court, alleging and proving he was a resident of the parish of West Baton Rouge. His exception was sustained, the suit, as to him, dismissed and the plaintiff appealed. We are of opinion there is no error in the judgment of the district coiwt. It is a well established law that every person must be sued in the parish where he has his domicil, unless in those cases where an exception is made to tho general rule. There are a number of exceptions mentioned in our law, but we are unable to find one that will sustain the ground assumed by the plaintiff, and his counsel has not referred us to any. We have heretofore said that this suit was essentially conservatory. The plaintiff is not a privy or party to the contract, except, so far only, to see that the slaves, which composed the succession of Julien Poydras, deceased, shall remain in the condition he left them until the time arrives for tho will to operate. The counsel for the plaintiff urges that as the judgment, if rendered in his favor, would operate upon both Taylor and Hiriart they ought to be sued together. That it may so operate to some extent, may be true, but it is [373] not a sufficient reason to form an exception to the general provision. Hiriart, it appears to us, is the party most interested, and there is more reason for carrying Taylor to his parish to defend the suit; and that would probably be the result, if Hiriart should be sued in his own parish, as Taylor is his warrantor. If Poydras was the vendor of Taylor, and Hiriart a third possessor, and the suit was for a rescission of the sale, for any of the causes prescribed by law, it might make some difference, hut rrpon that point it is not necessary to express an opinion in this case. The judgment of the district court is therefore affirmed, with costs.