Albin v. Presby

8 N.H. 408 | Superior Court of New Hampshire | 1836

Parker, J.

The general principle, that an innkeeper is bound to keep safely the goods of his guest, which are in his custody, infra hospitium, but that he shall answer for nothing -without the inn, is well settled. 8 Co. 63, (Dub. ed.) Cayle's case. There are exceptions, where the loss is occasioned by the servants or companions of the guest, not necessary to be farther noticed at this time.

When goods shall be said to be in the custody of the innkeeper, within the inn, is sometimes a question of difficult solution. 3 Dyer 266, b, Sanders vs. Spencer; 1 Starkie’s Rep. 249, Farnsworth vs. Packwood; 4 M. & S. 306. Burgess vs. Clements; 8 Barn. & Cres. 9, Richmond vs. Smith. The limits of the hospitium, or inn, have not been defined with precision, and must depend somewhat upon the particular circumstances of each case. In Cayle's case “ it was resolved that if a man comes to a common inn, and delivers his horse to the hostler, and requires him to put him to pasture, which is done accordingly, and the horse is stolen, the innholder shall not answer for it.” But it is said to have been held, “ if the owner doth not require it, but the innholder of his own head puts his guest’s horse to grass, he shall answer for him if he be stolen.” Ibid. In that case there is a reference to a case in the Year Books, where Knivet, C. J. said, “that the innholder is hound to answer for himself, and for his family, of the chambers and stables, for they are infra hospitium.” And it was said that “ the horse which at the request of the owner is put to pasture, is not infra hospitium.” Whether he is to be regarded as “ within the inn” when placed in the pastare by the inn-holder without directions, or whether, it being the duty of the innholder in such case to place the horse in the stable, he is to be held liable as if he had done so, is not stated.

It is not necessary that the goods should be within the walls of the house, or of the stables, in order to be “ within the inn.” “ Where a sleigh loaded with wheat was put by the guest into an out-house, appurtenant to the inn, where loads of that description were usually received, and the grain was stolen during the night, the innkeeper was held liable for the loss.” The court said, “ The sleigh with its contents was put into an out-house, appurtenant to the inn, where it had been usual for the defendant to receive loads of that description. The doors of the wagon-house were broken open, from which it may be inferred that the building was close, and the doors fastened in such a manner as to promise security. The bags of grain, therefore, may be deemed to have been infra hospitium.” 14 Johns. 175, Clute vs. Wiggins. Jitdge Story, referring to this case, says — “ Where goods are delivered at the usual place for such goods, the innkeeper is chargeable with them, although not strictly within the inn.” Story’s Bailment 314. But the case shows that they were regarded as infra hospitium. Some stress seems to have been laid on the fact that the goods were placed in a building appurtenant to the inn.

In England however the doctrine has been carried farther. “ An innkeeper on a fair-day being asked by a traveller, then driving a gig of which he was the owner, whether he had room for the horse ? put the horse into the stable of the inn, received the traveller, with, some goods, into the inn, and placed the gig in the open street, without the inn yard, where he was accustomed to place the carriages of his guests on fair-days. The gig having been stolen from thence, held that the innkeeper was answerable.” 1 Adolph. & Ellis 522, Jones vs. Tyler. The case was considered by the judges as “very near the distinguishing line ” — “on the extreme limit.” But it did not appear that the gig was so placed with the consent or even with the knowledge of the plaintiff, and this circumstance is adverted to by the court. Mr. Justice Littledale said — “On the plaintiff’s inquiring whether there was room, the defendant finds room for the horse ; it is not likely that the parties understood that the gig was to be at the mercy of any one who came by. The place where it is put is the place commonly used for the purpose, on fair-days, by the defendant; it must, therefore, as against the defendant, in this case, be taken to be part of the inn.” And Mr. Justice Taunton said — “ It does not appear that the gig was put in this place at all at the request or instance of the plaintiff; the place is, therefore, part of the inn ; for the defendant, by his conduct, treats it as such. If he wished to protect himself he should have told the plaintiff that he had no room in his yard, and that he would put the gig in the street, but could not be answerable for it.”

Chancellor Kent, in stating the doctrine in Gayle’s case, that if the owner had not directed that the horse be put to pasture, and the innkeeper had done it of his own accord, he would be responsible, says — i! Perhaps this rule might admit of some limitations : for if the putting the traveller’s horse to pasture in the summer season be the usual custom, as it is in many parts of the country, the consent or direction of the owner to that effect would be fairly presumed.” 2 Kent's Com, (1 ed. ) 458. And Judge Story, referring to this passage, remarks, that “ the common usage of the country must have great weight in all such cases. In the country towns in America, it is very common to leave chaises and carriages under open sheds all night at inns ; and also to leave the stable doors open or unlocked. Under such circumstances, if a horse or chaise should be stolen, it would deserve consideration how far the innkeeper would be liable, as the traveller might be presumed to consent to the ordinary custom.” Story on Bailment 312.

The present case finds, to be sure, that the wagon ivas put in the place where the loaded wagons of guests were usually placed, when they were put under shelter ; but they were doubtless usually so placed with the knowledge and assent of the guests. It is well known that loaded wagons are often left within the limits of the highway near the inn, and are usually not placed in any building or enclosed yard, unless there is a special reguest for it. Few inns in the country have suitable accommodations for securing property of this character in such a manner. In the present ease there is not only knowledge and assent, but the plaintiff himself ¡daces the wagon in that situation. He of course could not have expected that it would be removed to another place — he made no request to that effect — and he must have known that the goods could not be secured from thieves in that place, except by a watch. Assuredly he could not have expected they would be guarded by the defendant, in that maimer: and, under such circumstances, ought not to have expected that the defendant was to be responsible for a loss.

And as the inns in this country are not generally furnished with accommodations for the protection of the carriages of all guests who may lodge at the inn, and the custom of permitting them to remain in open yards, where they cannot be protected, but by a guard, is so universal, and well known, we think it a sound position that the assent of the traveller is to be presumed in such case, unless he makes a special request that his carriage should be put in a safe place ; and that such open yard is not to be deemed a part of the inn, so as to charge the innkeeper for the loss, unless he neglects, upon request, to put the goods in a place of safety, which he is bound to do, on such request, if he have any accommodations which enable him to comply with it.

Plaintiff nonsuit.