4 Conn. 288 | Conn. | 1822
I am of opinion from the facts apparent on the motion, that O. P. Jackson had an implied general authority from the defendant, to contract on his credit with the plaintiff; and that the testimony of the plaintiff, in this case, was correctly admitted.
Without any express authority having been conferred on him, by the defendant, O. P. Jackson had procured of the plaintiff articles, similar to those which constitute the present book debt. Of the debt thus contracted, the defendant made payment, "without objecting to the same, or giving any notice to the plaintiff, not to trust his son any farther." To his son, the defendant gave a positive prohibition against contracting debts, and placed him under the care of Mr. Rossi
The admitted testimony of the plaintiff to the declaration of the defendant, after the account in question had accrued, and had been delivered, if competent, was unquestionably relevant. It seems, that the defendant was restrained from giving notice to the plaintiff not to trust his son, lest he should hurt his feelings; that with the bill he found no fault; but wishing to stop his son's extravagance, he had declined paying it; and that he had given money to his son to pay the plaintiff's bill, which he had expended. Testimony of this description weighed something; and was proper for the consideration of the jury, upon the enquiry, whether authority had been given to contract the debt in controversy. Indeed, had the same evidence been given, by disinterested witnesses, it would have been considered, on all hands, as free from objection. The precise question, is, Whether the plaintiff is a competent witness to the defendant's acknowledgments of indebtedness, or to facts from which indebtedness may be inferred. The cases of Punderson v. Shaw, Kirby 180. Peck v. Jones, Kirby 289. Johnson v. Gunn, 2 Root 130. and Bradley v. Goodyear, 1 Day 104. in my opinion, have no bearing on the matter in controversy. What is not a legal charge on book, these cases determine; but that enquiry is not before the court; as the articles delivered, unquestionably, were
New trial not to be granted.