Rhodes v. Leeds
Rhodes v. Leeds
Opinion of the Court
The only proceeding, in the court below, assigned as error, is the charge contained in the bill of exceptions. It appears, that the defendant
“The defendant, Rhodes, moved-the court, to charge the jury, that, the promise, or undertaking of the defendant, was within the statute of frauds, and they otight to find for him. The court refused to give the charge, as prayed — but, charged the jury, that it was not within the statute of frauds.”
The statute of frauds, so far as it is brought into consideration, by this case, is in the following words, viz: “That no action shall bo. brought, whereby to charge the defendant, upon any special promise, to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage, of another person; unless the promise of agreement, upon which such action shall be brought, or some memorandum, or note thereof, shall be in writing, and signed by the party to be charged therewith, or some other person, by him, thereunto lawfully authoris-ed.”
The uniform,-and obviously correct decisions, under this statute, have been, that if credit is given’to A — a promise, by B, to pay the debt, must he in writ
In the case before us, was the credit given .to Rhodes," or to Dobson ? There can not be the shadow of doubt on this subject. The castings were purchased by Rhodes, to be delivered to Dobson, it is true; but, that was perfectly immaterial to the vendor. It is not the destination of the-article purchased, which determines the responsibility of the person sued; but, it is whether the debt be his own, or that of a third person. In this instance, it was obviously the debt of Rhodes, and not of Dobson.
It does not appear, that Dobson was known, or his responsibility thought of, by Leeds ; but, it does ful: ly appear, that he furnished the castings, because, from the representations of Williams, through Vincent, he was satisfied of the ability of Rhodes, to pay for them.
Let the judgment be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- RHODES versus LEEDS
- Status
- Published