Clark v. Gamwell

125 Mass. 428 | Mass. | 1878

Lord, J.

There does not appear to have been any error in the ruling of the presiding justice in this case. The action was brought to recover the expense of keeping a horse of the defendant, which the plaintiff had caused to be attached upon a writ against the defendant, and is founded upon an express promise by the defendant to pay for the same. It is assumed by the defendant that such an action, under the authority of Cutter v. Howe, 122 Mass. 541, cannot be maintained; but such is not the decision in that case. The question there arose upon the taxation of costs for keeping goods, attached by an officer, not perishable in their nature. It does not decide that any contract in reference to such goods, made either between an officer and either of the parties, or between the parties themselves, is void. In this case, it is found that the plaintiff caused to be attached a horse of the defendant. The provisions of the statute in relation to the attachment of live animals, or of property perishable in its nature, differ from those relating to the attachment of property not in its nature perishable. Gen. Sts. c. 123, §§ 73-78. Whether the horse attached was sold, under the provisions of the statute, or whether appraisers were appointed, conformably to law, or whether either party requested a sale of the horse to be made, does not appear.

There is no presumption that anything was done, either by the officer or the plaintiff, that was not authorized byr law to be done. Nothing appearing to the contrary, some fee for the keeping of the horse was authorized by law. The proper amount of such fee, if there was any controversy upon the subject, must be determined, in the first instance, by the clerk in the taxation of costs; and if either party is dissatisfied with such taxation by the clerk, he may appeal to the court in which the proceeding is pending. In this case, it seems that the parties differed, as to whether any, or what charge for keeping was properly taxable. If any sum were taxable, it would become a part of the judgment, upon which execution should issue.

The presiding judge found that the plaintiff agreed that he would not claim any sum to be taxed in bis bill of costs, and in consideration thereof, and “ as an adjustment of the controversy,” the defendant promised that he would pay the sum demanded in this suit. We are satisfied that such a promise is founded upon a good consideration. Whether the consideration was of equal value with the amount promised to be paid was a question for the defendant to determine for himself. He received some benefit in not being subject to an execution for the amount which was actually due, and the plaintiff lost some benefit by being put to his action to recover the amount, instead of having an execution issue for it.

Independently, however, of such consideration, the compromise of a claim, disputed wholly or in part, is a sufficient consideration for an express promise to pay. The fact that the plaintiff had not himself paid the amount, which, for aught that appears, he was liable to pay, does not affect the question.

Exceptions overruled.