Gilchrist v. Partridge

Libbey, J.

A. Y. Partridge, master and part owner of the bark Emma-L. Partridge, being about to sail from New York on a foreign voyage, bought of the plaintiffs, on account of the owners of the bark, the goods for which this action is brought. After the evidence was out on both sides there ceased to be any controversy as to the plaintiffs’ right to recover unless the defendants had a defence on the ground claimed by them.

They claimed that when the bill of goods was bought, as a part of the transaction — a part of the consideration for the purchase — the plaintiffs agreed to keep the bark insured to the amount of their account, as security for its payment, till it should be paid; and that on her last voyage from Liverpool to Matanzas, when she was lost, they did not insure her. They claim to recoup the damages which they sustained thereby.

The presiding judge ordered a verdict for the plaintiffs. The defendants claim that there was evidence for the jury upon the issue raised, and that, therefore, they are aggrieved by the direction of the judge. If there was any evidence, which, if true, giving it its full probative force, would authorize the jury to find for the defendants, in whole or in part, the direction was wrong. Heath v. Jaquith, 68 Maine, 433.

At the time the goods were bought the bark was to sail to Port Natal, thence to Java, and then return to Boston, and it was agreed that the goods should be paid for on the termination of the voyage. Partridge, the only witness called to support the defendants’ theory, testified in substance that White, one of the plaintiffs, with whom the contract of purchase was made, wanted to assume the right to insure the bill himself, so that, in case of loss, he would not have any trouble to get his pay; but that nothing was said as to the length of time or voyages for which the insurance was to continue. Assuming this testimony to be true we think it would not authorize the inference that, if the defendants declined or refused to pay the bill on the return of the bark to Boston, the plaintiffs would be bound to continue to insure indefinitely till the defendants might see fit to pay. It could not have been in the contemplation of either party that the insurance should thus be continued. At most it could bind the plaintiffs to insure only to the termination of the voyage when the bill become payable. There is no claim made that the plaintiffs did not insure during that voyage.

On his return to Boston in April, 1878, Partridge was requested to pay the bill, but declined to do so, alleging want of funds, and by letter requested the plaintiffs to keep the bill insured. The defendants claim that the plaintiffs agreed to do so, but this the plaintiffs deny. Whether there is any evidence that would warrant the jury to find that the plaintiffs did so agree it is unnecessary to inquire, for, if they did it would be a new and independent agreement, and in no way a part of the consideration for the original contract; and damages sustained by reason . of its breach would not be a proper matter of recoupment. Sawyer v. Wiswell, 9 Allen, 42 ; Dorr v. Fisher, 1 Cush. 275 ; Winthrop Savings Bank v. Jackson, 67 Maine, 570.

Exception is taken to the admission of the deposition of Partridge on the ground that he was present in court. It was offered and admitted as an admission by him of his liability. As such it was clearly admissible.

The motion to set aside the verdict is not relied upon.

Exceptions and motion overruled.

Appleton, C. J., Barrows, Virgin, Peters and Symonds, JJ., concurred.