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Grand Rapids Veneer Works v. Forsyth

64 N.Y. St. Rep. 338 Court N.Y. Gen. Term Decision date 1894-12-10 English

Delivered by Cullen, J.

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p. 338
Grand Rapids Veneer Works, App’lt, v. George B. Forsyth et al., Resp’ts.
(Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department,
Filed December 10, 1894.)

Headnote

Evidence—Parol.
The rule that it is not admissible to contradict a written contract, does, not apply where the original contract is verbal and entire and a part only is reduced to writing. '
Appeal from a judgment entered on a verdict in favor of defendants, and from an order denying motion for a new trial.
Estes, Barnard, & Tiffany, for app’lt; R. A. Morrison (J. Stewart Ross, of counsel), for resp’ts.

This is an appeal from a judgment for the defendants, entered upon the verdict of a jury, and an order denying plaintiff’s motion for a new trial. The action is to recover the price of squares of veneer shipped to defendants under an executory contract of sale. The defendants refused to accept the goods on the ground that they did not comply with the contract, and counterclaimed for an amount of freight paid by them. We are strenuously urged to set aside the verdict, on the ground that it is against the weight of evidence. Our examination of the evidence leads us to no such conclusion. There was a fair question of fact whether the goods complied with the order or not, and the question was fairly submitted to the jury, under a charge to which no exception was taken. The verdict must therefore stand, unless there was legal error in the conduct of the trial. In this respect there is but one question that needs discussion. The contract between the parties, so far as it was in writing, consisted of an order given by defendants to the plaintiff’s agent Theis, and a series of letters and telegrams following. The defendants, in their answer, alleged that the sale was made by samples, on the representation of the agent that the goods were of a superior quality, and equal to the sample. Thereupon the defendants gave the agent an order, in these terms :

“ Brooklyn, N. Y., June 29th, 1891.
“ Grand Eapids Veneer Works, Grand Eapids, Mich., Order' Book No.' 1437.—Dear Sirs: Please ship us at once 1 carload 1-20” birch squares, composed of 1,300 squares 16x16. and balance of equal parts of 14x14 & 15x15. To be dry, flat, and cut smooth, without fractures, and at least -Jd white faces. Price, $2.75 M. 4 mos. note.
“ Yours, truly, Forsythe & Co.
“We pay -J freight. F. & Oo.
“ You may send samples of your 1-20 1-15” birch sheets, say 86” grain, and also of shaved quar. oak, 1-20”.”

The subsequent correspondence is not material on the question now presented. On the trial the defendants were permitted to prove, against plaintiff’s objection and exception, the conversation and transaction between Theis and defendant at the time of giving the order. The appellant claims that this ruling was erroneous.

p. 339
The question of how far paroi evidence is admissible to vary a written contract is often very difficult to determine. It may be laid down as a rule that it is not admissible to contradict the written contract, nor where the writing appears to be a complete and perfect agreement. Eghmie v. Taylor, 98 N. Y. 288 . But the rule does not apply where the original contract is verbal and entire, and a part only reduced to writing, nor to collateral undertakings. Chapin v. Dobson, 78 N. Y. 75 . We think that this case falls within the exception to the rule first named. The negotiation was had orally, and by the presentation of the sample. In pursuance of it, a written order was given. This order was not in form an agreement. It contained no covenants on the part of the vendor, and was not executed by Theis, and therefore could not constitute a contract except on acceptance by the plaintiff. The contract of sale was executory. The vendee had no knowledge of the character of the goods save by the sample. We think that in such a case, under the authorities cited, it was permissible to show that the order and contract were based on samples shown, and that the sale was a sale by sample. The judgment and order denying new trial, appealed from, should be affirmed, with costs.

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