Hewes v. Lauve
Hewes v. Lauve
Opinion of the Court
This case was before us about two years ago, and was remanded for a new trial; judgment was given as before, and the case is brought back by the same party. 6 Martin, 502.
It appears that the plaintiff gave certain goods to J. Howe & co. to be sold at auction;
An attempt has been next made to charge the defendant, on the ground that J. Howe & co. were his agents, and he is liable for their misconduct. But the evidence rather shews that the defendant was the agent of J. Howe & co. The defendant, as auctioneer, attended at the call of J. Howe & co. at their store, to sell as an auctioneer, such goods as had been committed to their care, for the purpose of being so sold. He did so, content with receiving reduced commissions, expecting to be indemnified by the quantity of goods they had induced him to believe they would procure. The plaintiff gave them his, in order that they might procure the sale of them among those of their other customers. In selling them, the defendant acted as the direct agent of J. Howe & co., and was accountable to them for the proceeds: there was no privity between the plaintiff and
I therefore conclude, that the judgment of the district court ought to be affirmed with costs.
Concurring Opinion
I concur in this opinion.
There is no evidence of any partnership between J. Howe &co. and the defendant, and the latter must be considered as having acted in his capacity of auctioneer for Howe & co., who were agents for the plaintiff, and are alone responsible to him.
It is therefore ordered, that the judgment of the district court be affirmed with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HEWES v. LAUVE
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