Boston & Maine Railroad v. Whitcher

83 Mass. 497 | Mass. | 1861

Bigelow, C. J.

We are of opinion, that the facts proved at the trial bring this case within the well settled rule of law, that an agent is not liable, when he acts in behalf of a known principal. The exception to this rule, on which the plaintiffs rely, does not apply, where goods are consigned to an agent, acting within the scope of his authority, when the extent of that authority is understood by the carrier, and there is nothing in the terms of the consignment or in the contract of transportation from which an agreement by the agent to pay for the carriage can be implied. The cases in which an agent has been held liable to pay the freight of goods consigned to him proceed on the ground that, by the terms of bills of lading, as usually drawn, especially in cases of transportation by water, the consignee is to pay the freight. In other words, the carrier undertakes to deliver the property to the consignee, “ he paying freight for the same.” Whoever accepts delivery under such a bill of lading contracts, by implication, to pay the freight due on them; and if the name of the agent only is inserted in the bill without any designation of the character or capacity as agent for another in which he receives the goods, he is liable individually for the freight, because he thereby becomes an original contractor to pay therefor. These cases rest on the principle that he who accepts a thing which he knows to be subject to a duty or charge, for which he is expected to pay, thereby contracts by implication to take the duty or charge on himself. Cock v. Taylor, 13 East, 399. Wilson v. Kymer, 1 M. & S. 157. Dougal v. Kemble, 3 Bing. 383. Amos v. Temperley, 8 M. & W. 798. But no case can be found which goes the length of holding, that an agent is liable for the freight of goods sent to and received by him, when his agency is known to the carrier at the time of the delivery of the goods, and when there is no stipulation in the contract of transportation by which the consignee is to pay the freight. In such a case, the essential elements of a contract are wanting. There is nothing from which an intent on the part of the shipper or carrier to charge the agent, or an agreement by the agent to pay the freight, can be inferred. A mere naked consignment to an agent does not make him liable for the freight, where the agency is known, and there is no stipulation that the consignee shall pay freight.

In the case at bar, there is nothing to show that there was any way-bill .or other document by which the defendant, as consignee, was to pay freight on the granite which the plaintiffs transported. It was carried by them for a principal whom they knew, and it was delivered to the defendant with a full knowledge that he received it only as agent, and without any implied agreement that he would be personally liable therefor. Under such circumstances, the instructions to the jury were adapted to the case as proved, and the verdict for the defendant was well warranted. Exceptions overruled.