39 Fla. 381 | Fla. | 1897
The court below erred in directing a verdict for plaintiffs, and in refusing the motion for a new trial, as there was no view of the evidence upon which plaintiffs were entitled to recover. The power of attorney gave Welsby no authority to execute a negotiable instrument, binding his principal for the payment of another person’s debt. There was no express authority given by the power of attorney to execute negotiable instruments; and even if there was, it would be confined to the making of such paper in the legitimate business of the principal or for his benefit, and the agent could not bind his principal by making a note for the benefit of a third person. Mechem on Agency, sec. 392. The authority of Welsby was entirely in writing, and this writing was exhibited to plaintiffs’ agent before the note was executed, hence he was •chargeable with notice of the extent of Welsby’s agency. American Lead Pencil Co. vs. Wolfe, 30 Fla. 360, 11 South. Rep. 488. No implied authority to execute the note to secure Curry’s debt can be deduced from any of the matters delegated to Welsby as agent
The judgment is reversed and a new trial granted.