Anderson v. Van Doren

142 Minn. 237 | Minn. | 1919

Dibell, J.

Action on a promissory note. Its execution was admitted. There was a finding for the defendants on their counterclaim or set-off for a less amount than the amount due on the note. They appeal from the order denying their motion for judgment or for a new trial.

1. The note was for $1,000. It was given in part payment of a stock of automobile goods and supplies sold by the plaintiff, or by the plaintiff’s company, to two of the defendants and another. The defendants interposed a counterclaim, or perhaps more properly a set-off, for damages aggregating several thousand dollars for the breach of an implied warranty of certain automobile chains, and parts thereof, manufactured by the plaintiff, the defects in which were latent. The contract of sale was in writing. There was no express warranty.

The court permitted parol evidence tending to show that the defendants were advised by the plaintiff of the defective condition of certain of the property, and instructed the jury that, if they were so advised and bought with knowledge, there could be no recovery on an implied warranty of the quality. The defendants’ principal grievance lies in the reception of this evidence and the charge of the court relative to it.

The defects claimed were in certain case hardened plates and links, and in certain oil tempered spring steel hooks, which were parts of automobile chains. The jury found in favor of the defendants for the breach of an implied warranty in the sum of $231.88. The finding of the breach, which is a finding in favor of the defendants, does not preclude them from urging the errors which they allege, for it fairly appears that damages in the sum found might have been given upon an implied warranty as to which the parol evidence was not applicable.

A warranty is implied, upon a sale by a manufacturer of Ms own product, of freedom from latent defects affecting fitness or merchantability. Different courts phrase the thought in varying terms but there is harmony upon the general principle. The common law traced the reason for the implication of a warranty to the deceit or fraud of the vendor. At first we see the action treated as sounding in tort. Now, while recognizing its origin, the law conceives of the implied warranty as a term of the contract; but if the vendee has an opportunity of inspection he is not protected against patent defects, for then he knows the defects and does not need protection. This is the doctrine everywhere. Kellogg Bridge Co. v. Hamilton, 110 U. S. 108, 3 Sup. Ct. 537, 28 L. ed. 86, and Hoe v. Sanborn, 21 N. Y. 552, 78 Am. Dec. 163, are two well-considered leading cases. Our own are in accord. Dunnell, Minn. Dig. § 8572, et seq. The thought that there must 'be something in the nature of a reliance by the vendee on the warranty manifests itself in the cases. The implication of a warranty is excluded from the contract, or a remedy upon it denied, upon proof that the vendee knew of the defects and bought on his own judgment without a reliance upon the warranty, just as where the defects are so patent that he must know them.

The evidence is such as to sustain a finding that the defendants went over the stock before its purchase and were informed by the plaintiff that the case hardening process which they had used in the plates and links had not proved satisfactory and that they had trouble because of the chains brealdng. There was evidence that the defendants were about prior to the sale and knew that the case hardened links and plates were being stripped from the chains and the jury might infer that they knew it was because they were defective. And there was evidence that in fixing upon the price a reduction was made because of the defects.

We have no question as to the propriety of the parol testimony. The important issue was whether the vendees knew "of the defects. If they did they could not rely upon an implied warranty. The parol testimony bore upon that issue. It did not offend the parol evidence rule. It did not vary the contract. The implied term of the contract does not extend to a ease where the vendee buys with knowledge and on his own judgment. The defendants cite cases holding that parol evidence cannot vary the legal inference flowing from a contract. McAlpine v. Millen, 104 Minn. 289, 116 N. W. 583, and American Bridge Co. v. American D. S. Co. 107 Minn. 140, 119 N. W. 783, may be taken as typical. In tbe first a partnership relation was established by a written contract and it was held that it coaid not be shown by parol that there was not to be a sharing in losses. In the other a construction contract was silent as to the time of performance, and therefore the law implied a reasonable time; and it was held that an understanding of the parties could not be shown by parol. 'These cases are based on a different principle and are inapplicable.

If it was competent to receive the parol testimony, as we hold, the charge of the court based upon it was necessarily correct.

2. The verdict was this: “We, the jury in the above entitled action, find for the defendants and each of them and assess their damages in the sum of $231.88, said amount to be deducted from the promissory note of $1,000, plus interest and protest fees, due September 1, 1917.”

The defendants claim that it is so indefinite that it cannot be given effect. A verdict must be so definite that by reference to the record the precise thing found is clearly ascertainable. Moriarty v. McDevitt, 46 Minn. 136, 48 N. W. 684; Jones v. King, 30 Minn. 368, 15 N. W. 670; Dunnell, Minn. Dig. and 1916 Supp. § 9817. The verdict is in bad form. It should have been corrected before being received. It did not follow the court’s directions. The meaning however is clear. The jury intended that the plaintiff should recover $1,000, and interest and protest fees, upon the note — and his right to recover this was admitted at the trial — less the damages of $231.88 sustained by the defendants by reason of the breach of warranty.

Order affirmed.