Cunningham v. Duncan — 1 Ant. N.P. Cas. 61

Majority

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Cunningham, survivor of Halsted, against Duncan.

SITTINGS AFTER NOVEMBER TERM, 1808, AT NEW YORK.

Coram Mr. Justice Thompson.

Headnote

Where the agent, of the survivor of an insolvent firm, being invested with power to collect and pay the debts of such firm, leaves money, then collected, in the hands of a third person, with instructions to pay it to such creditors, an action for money had and received for the use of such survivor will not lie against such third person.

Whether the jury leave their bench or not, the plaintiff, by not answering when called, may preclude them from giving a verdict.

Assumpsit, for money had and received to the use of Cunningham, as survivor of Halsted.

Plea, non-assumpsit.

Cunningham & Halsted had been co-partners in trade. Halsted died in the fall of 1804, during the continuance of

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the co-partnership, and one Maver administered on his estate. Upon the death of Halsted, who was the acting partner in the firm, the affairs of the co-partnership were found to be considerably deranged. An advertisement was, thereupon, inserted in the public papers, signed by Cunningham & Maver, directing the debtors of the partnership to make payment to Maver, who was verbally empowered by Cunningham to pay the partnership debts out of the proceeds. After payment of part of those debts, 914 dollars were still left in the hands of Maver. Maver being under the necessity of leaving the country, placed the same in the hands of the defendant, in December, 1805, with a schedule containing the names of the remaining creditors of Cunningham & Halsted, and written instructions to appropriate that sum to the payment of those creditors. This sum, it appeared, was still in the hands of Duncan, the defendant.

In August, 1805, William Cunningham, the father of the plaintiff, received a general power of attorney, from his son, to act in the concerns of Cunningham & Halsted, of which, however, it was doubtful whether notice had been given to Maver, previous to the payment to Duncan. This action was brought to recover the sum so deposited with Duncan by Maver.

Thompson, J. If this action had been brought against Maver, I think the question would have been very different from what it now is. In this case, however, the money was received by the defendant, for a special purpose, to be applied to the payment of certain debts of Cunningham & Halsted, and, therefore, not received for the use of Cunningham & Halsted, but for the use of third persons, their

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creditors. I am of opinion this action cannot be sustained.^[1]

This cause then went to the jury under the charge of the judge. The jury agreed without leaving their bench. The plaintiff, however, when called, did not answer.

Boyd,

for the defendant suggested that where the jury

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agree without leaving the court, the plaintiff must be considered as present, and the jury cannot be precluded from giving their verdict, as they may where they have retired to deliberate.

I know of no. such distinction. Let a non-suit be recorded.^[1]

Woods, for the plaintiff.

Bogd, for the defendant.

(2) (2) The distinction suggested by the counsel in this case, has been frequently asserted in practice; but, upon a diligent examination, I have not been able to find a single case, nor even a dictum of any judge or writer, in support of it. The theory of the law on this subject is directly opposed to it. Before the jury deliver their verdict, the plaintiff is bound to appear in court, by himself or by his attorney or counsel, in order to answer the amercement to which, by the old law, he was liable, in case he failed in his suit, as a punishment for his false claim. And if he does not appear, no verdict can" be given, but the plaintiff is said to be non-suit, non sequitw clamorem smm. 3 Com. 376. Although the amercement is no longer, in fact, exacted, still all the ancient forms attending it are observed, viz: The calling of the plaintiff before the verdict is pronounced, and if pronounced against him, or if ho is non-suited, the formal entry of judgment, that he be in misericordia pro fatso demore. This then being the true reason for calling the plaintiff, it is immaterial whether the jury have retired or not, the plaintiff must always be called. The Code of Procedure, and the rules of court carrying the code into effect,,supersede the learning (for all practical purposes, at least,) contained in this note. It is now declared, in rule 26, that it shall not be necessary to call the plaintiff when the jury return to the bar to deliver their verdict, and the plaintiff shall have no right to submit to a non-suit after the jury have gone from the bar to consider of their verdict.