Caldwell v. Neil Bros.

21 La. Ann. 342 | La. | 1869

Ludelihg, C. J.

This appeal is taken from a judgment against the defendants as drawers of a bill of exchange for £100 with interest and damages.

The only defense set up in the pleadings which is relied on in this court is that J. Briegleb, who drew the bill as agent of the defendants, had no authority to draw it.

Briegieb testifies as follows: “ I was, at the time I drew the bill of exchange as the agent of Neil Brothers, authorized to do so. I was authorized to do so by a written power of attorney, of which a copy is annexed. Neil Brothers have recognized my authority to draw bills of exchange as their agent, oil two previous occasions, by ordering J. C. Ollerenshaw, of Manchester, to accept and pay two drafts for £100 each, drawn by me previous to the one now in suit. They were paid. I drew under the authority of my power of attorney.” -

The power oí attorney referred to was dated fifth June, 1856, and was signed Neil Brothers <fi Co. The firm of NcilBrolhcrs & Co. was dissolved in 1859. A circular announcing the dissolution of that firm also announced that the business would be continued under the same name at Mobile and New (Means. Briegieb continued to act as their agent under the old power of attorney with their knowledge, and they paid his drafts drawn as agent. They thus induced the public to believe that Briegieb was their agent. If one of two parties must suffer the loss must be borne by him who contributed to bring about the state of things which caused the loss. Story on Agency, 856; 4 An. 19; 3 An. 400; 1 Parsons on Bills, 101. Besides the witness, Briegieb, positively swears that he was authorized by Neil <£ Brothers to draw the bill.

Our attention has been called to a bill of exceptions taken to the ruling of the court a qua, excluding-certain-testimony. The testimony of Briegieb, plaintiffs’ witness, was taken by commission.

The defendants propounded a question to him, on cross-examination, to prove that the consideration was Confederate treasury notes or obligations. The question was objected to by the plaintiffs on the ground that this defense was not made in the pleadings, and they moved to strike out the answer of tlie witness to this question. The District Judge sustained the objection and rejected the answer. We think the ruling was correct. The proof must correspond with the allegations.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed, and that the appellants pay the costs of the appeal. >