Percival v. Nevill
Percival v. Nevill
Dissenting Opinion
I dissent. An apprentice stands upon a footing entirely different, in this country, from other servants, who act under contracts entered into between them and those whom they serve; they are generally the children of the poorest class of the community, and I think the master is bound, under the spirit of the Act of Assembly'
1740, 3 Stat. 544.
See 4 MoC. 124; 2 Sp. 416; 2 Brev. 129 ; 1 Strob. 171.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court -was delivered by
In the case before us, the master made no request of the physician ; nor were the services performed under the roof of the master, so as to raise a plain conclusion, that he required the performance of the physician’s services. The inquiry then is as follows, to wit: Does the private economical relation existing between • master and apprentice, of itself, imply an obligation, on the part of master, to pay for services rendered under such circumstances ? In his chapter of master and servant, (1 Black, Com. 426,) the commentator makes apprentices the second species of servants, of which he enumerates four, tp wit, menial servants, apprentices, laborers, and stewards, &c., which last he describes as of superior capacity. He treats of the relations between the master and any of these, as the same, generally. He notes two peculiarities respecting apprentices, as arising from general principles, to wit: that the master may correct them, and that they have no wages, (their labor and earnings going exclusively to the master during apprenticeship.) In all other duties, rights, and privileges, apprentices stand upon the footing of other servants, except as varied by express contract. (See Bae. Abridg. Master and Servants.) Indeed, as a person under lawful age could not bind himself as an apprentice, it seems to follow, that we must look to the exPress contract or ^statutory regulations for any peculiar consequences arising out of his relation with his master. Blackstone concludes his doctrine of master and servant with this remark, “we may observe, that in all the cases here put, the master may be frequently a loser by the trust reposed in his servant, but never can be a gainer.” This remark .applies emphatically to the relation of master and apprentice. The former has much to lose, the latter much to gain. It has been determined, in this State, that the master cannot sue the apprentice on his indentures; (M'Knight v. Hogg,
And as there is nothing in our Acts or Statutes which can affect the case, let us see if there is any thing in the indenture which can do so. This is in the usual printed form, and evidently taken from the common English precedent, used where masters are compelled by statutory regulation to take apprentices. By this indenture, masters are required to instruct the apprentice, and to find .sufficient meat, drink, apparel, washing, lodging, and all other things needful for an apprentice, &c. &c. Upon which precedent, Burn, 1 vol. 116, tit. Apprentice, observes, that “where the overseers and master can agree, other covenants may be inserted, according to such agreement; but if the master is to be compelled, it seemeth not safe to require* more from him by the indenture, than is above expressed.” Now it would be unjust indeed, if a master who is compelled in England against his own will to take an apprentice, were obliged also to have him cured of all disease with which he might be long
The motion is therefore dismissed, and the order of the presiding judge affirmed.
3 Brev. 44; 1 Tread. 117.
MSS.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Percival & Johnson v. Joshua Nevill
- Status
- Published