Whitaker v. Eastwick
Whitaker v. Eastwick
Opinion of the Court
Opinion delivered by
It is well settled as a general rale that the purchaser Takes the risk of the quality of an article purchased unless there be fraud or warranty. In this case no fraud is alleged, and there was no express warranty. The action is assumpsit on an implied warranty of quality. There is an implied warranty of title and generally of the species in a sale, ■but not of quality. Hence, where the vendor in the bill of parcels de- •• scribed the article as blue paint, it was held to be an implied warranty that it should be blue paint. Borrekins v. Bevan et al., 3 Rawle 23. Fraley v. Bispham, 10 Barr 320, was a case of the sale of tobacco by sam.ple. In the bill of parcels it was stated to be “superior sweet-scented Kentucky leaf tobacco,” yet the statement was held : First, to be no evidence from which a jury might infer a warranty that it was either superior >ar .sweet-scented. Secondly, that the vendor was not liable in an action ex contractu, if it was Kentucky leaf tobacco, although of a very low quality, ill flavored, unfit for the market, and not sweet-scented. It was there said all gradations in quality are at the hazard of the buyer.
The facts in this case show the defendants in error had previously frequently purchased in large quantities this kind of coal, but never of the •chestnut size. They were, therefore, acquainted with its general character. They purchased this coal in question at fifteen cents less per ton than first-class coal was then selling. They now complain that it contained an unusually large percentage of slate and dirt. They got substantially the kind of coal for which they bargained. The evidence offered and received under objection was to its quality. It was error to admit it. The fact ■that it was represented as being well adapted to generating steam, and .that by reason of its impure quality a larger quantity is required to'gene.rate a given amount of steam, are all insufficient to raise an implied assump-sit. The learned judge, therefore, erred in admitting the evidence.
Judgment reversed and a venire facias de novo awarded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WHITAKER v. EASTWICK
- Status
- Published