Ewing v. French

The declaration in this case contains several counts in assumpsit; but it appears from the record, that theprincipal reliance must have been placed on the second. That count sets out, that the plaintiff having sold and delivered to the defendants a large quantity of wheat, to wit, 600 bushels, at their special instance and request, they undertook and promised that they would pay him so much merchantable flour as the wheat was reasonably Worth, when they should be thereunto after-wards Requested. It then avers the worth of the wheat in flour, of which the defendants had notice; that the defendants had not paid the flour, nor any part thereof; but that the same or any part thereof, they had wholly refused and failed to pay, &c. On the calling of the cause, the plaintiff obtained leave to amend his declaration; and amended the second count by inserting in the breach, a demand of the flour on the —— day of-. In consequence of this amendment, the defendants moved for a continuance; which the Circuit Court refused to grant.

This motion for a continuance was founded on the 17th section of the act regulating the practice in the Circuit Courts; which among other things provides, that if the plaintiff obtains leave to amend his declaration, and makes the amendment in matter of form, the trial shall go on; but if he amends in matter of substance, the defendant may demand a continuance of the cause until the next term. Stat. 1817, p. 28 (1). Continuances generally depend on the sound discretion of the Court; but *171here the legislature has thought proper to restrain that discre-tion, and give the Courts a positive rule for their regulation. We therefore consider that the Circuit Court has no right to exercise its discretion, in granting or refusing a continuance, whenever the plaintiff amends his declaration with leave of the Court. If the amendment is formal, the plaintiff has a right to proceed to trial; if it is substantial, the defendant has a right to a continuance. The legislature having thus determined the rights of the parties, it only remains for the Court to inquire whether the amendment is in form or substance. And here the books are generally plain and decisive. The substantial parts of a declaration are those things which are material in constituting the plaintiff’s right to recover; the omission of which lies within the reach of a general demurrer. When we test this case by this rule, we shall find that a special demand of the flour, mentioned in the second count in the declaration, was a material constituent of the plaintiff’s right of action. The wheat was delivered for so much flour as it was worth whenever requested. The defendants were not bound to transport this flour to the plaintiff. He was bound to come to them and receive it. And unless he came to receive, and they failed to deliver the flour, his right of action was incomplete. There was no time fixed for the delivery of this flour; the defendants could not deliver it without the knowledge or presence of the plaintiff. It was therefore incumbent on him to make a special demand, and allege that demand specially in the declaration. This principle is either directly or indirectly supported by a variety of cases. Cro. Jac. 183, 432, 523. — 1 Will. Saund. 33 — 1 Wils. 33__1 Str. 88.-5 T. R. 409. — 2 Chitt. Pl. 44 — 2 Buls. 229.-3 Buls. 298-9. Consequently the amendment of the declaration, inserting the demand, was in matter of substance; and gave the defendants a right to a continuance.

The judgment is reversed, and the proceedings subsequent to the motion for a continuance are set aside, with costs. Cause remanded, &c.