Pangborn v. Saxton , 11 Vt. 79 ( 1839 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Williams, Ch. J.

The question in this case is whether the plaintiff can maintain an action on book against the defendant. As we view the facts, presented by the auditor, the case is clearly with the plaintiff. As they were considered by the counsel for the defendant, we think the plaintiff might maintain an action in his own name against the defendant, though it might be doubtful whether the present action would have been the appropriate one. The case, as presented by the defendant’s counsel, will be first considered.

Treating the transaction as a sale from the plaintiff to Lewis, and then a sale by Lewis to Saxton, on the consideration that Saxton should pay to the plaintiff, which was notified to the plaintiff by Saxton, the defendant, there are not wanting authorities, which would justify a suit in the name of the plaintiff against the defendant.

The general rule is, as stated by the defendant’s counsel, that where the promise was made to the person from whom the consideration moved, he must bring the action for the breach. The legal interest in a contract is considered as in him from whom the consideration moves, notwithstanding it may be to be performed to another and for another’s benefit. There are cases, however, which seem to be opposed to the rule, and which, by an eminent writer, are considered as of doubtful authority. As where one gives money to another to pay over to a third person, that person may sue for it, as the money has become his property, and the person who received it is treated as his bailee. This principle was recognized and established on the last circuit in Rutland county, in the case of Crampton v. Ballard’s Admr. 10 Vt. Rep. 251.

There is a case in Rolle’s Abr. which is said to be like the one above named, or to be founded on the same principle. Where A. gave B. goods, valued at eighty pounds, on consideration to pay out of it twenty pounds to C., C. was allowed to sue B. for non-payment. If this case has not been overruled and is an authority in a case similar, it would warrant a recovery in the present case by this plaintiff against the defendant. Although it may be an exception to the general rule, yet it furnishes a rule for all cases like the excepted one.

But, in the present case, it appears that the organ case, in an unfinished state, was delivered by the plaintiff to Lewis, and although it was charged, yet the contract was inchoate and incomplete. The plaintiff was under no obligation to complete the case until he received his pay, nor was Lewis under obligation to pay until it was completed. Lewis then sells to the defendant, who agrees to pay the plaintiff the sum of $45. The defendant, himself, gave notice of this transaction between him and Lewis to the plaintiff, who thereupon discharged Lewis, by erasing his name from the charge and inserted that of the defendant, thus adopting the transaction between Lewis and the defendant." After this, the pillars^ trimmings, &c. to finish the case, were delivered by the plaintiff to the defendant, or left at his office. By the consent of the plaintiff, Lewis and the defendant, the case was sold and charged to the defendant, and completed and delivered to him. The plaintiff accepted him as his debtor for the case, and for the recovery of the sum, agreed by the defendant to be paid to the plaintiff, viz. the sum of $45, the action on book is the proper action. The judgment of the county court must therefore be affirmed.