Hale v. New-Jersey Steam Navigation Co.

| Conn. | Jul 15, 1843

Williams, Ch. J.

The suit was brought for two carriages, shipped on board the Lexington, against the defendants, as common carriers, to be transported in said boat, for hire, from New-York to Boston or Providence. The boat and goods were destroyed by fire, in the Sound; and a verdict being given for the plaintiff, the defendants excepted to the charge, and claimed,

1. That they were not common carriers, or subject to the rules that govern common carriers. It was long since settled, that any man, undertaking for hire to carry the goods of all persons indifferently, from place to place, is a common carrier. Gisbourn v. Hurst, 1 Salk. 249. Common carriers, says judge Kent, consist of two distinct classes of men, viz. inland carriers by land or water, and carriers by sea; and in the aggregate body are included the owners of stage coaches, who carry goods, as well as passengers, for hire — wagoners, teamsters, cartmen, the masters and owners of ships, vessels and all water craft, including steam vessels, and steam tow boats belonging to internal, as well as coasting and foreign navigation, lightermen and ferrymen. 2 Kent’s Com. 598. (2nd ed.) And there is no difference between a land and a water carrier. 3 Esp. Ca. 127. 10 Johns, li. 7. Story on Bailments 319. 323.

But it is said, the rule established is a harsh one, and ought not to be extended. Chancellor Kent takes a very different view of it. He speaks of it as a great principle of public policy, which has proved to be of eminent value to the morals and commerce of the nation ; (2nd vol. 602.) and with similar views, this court has said, we are not dissatisfied with the reasons which originated the responsibility of common carriers, and believe they apply, with peculiar force, at this day, and in this country, as it respects carriers by water, more especially upon which element a spirit of dangerous adventure has grown up, which disregards the safety, not of property merely, but of human life. Crosby v. Fitch, 12 Conn. R. 419. And while we are not called upon to extend the principle, we cannot yield to the argument that common carriers are not to be responsible, when the loss arises from the producing agent of the propelling power.

If the defendants are common carriers, the question must be merely what are the liabilities of common carriers? The answer is, for all losses, even inevitable accidents, except they arise from the act of God, or the public enemy. 2 Term Rep. 34. 2 Ld. Raym. 918. And by the act oí God is meant, something super-human, or something in opposition to the act of man. Forward v. Pittard, 1 Term Rep. 33. In all cases except of that description, the carriers warrant the safe delivery of the goods ; (per Kent, Ch. J. Elliot v. Bissell, 10 Johns. R. 7.) and masters and owners of vessels are liable as common carriers, as well at sea as in port. And the Ch. J. says, that the argument is not well supported, that this doctrine of the liability of carriers, is, by the common law7 of England, to be confined to transportations by water, without the jurisdiction of the realm. All the books and all the cases, winch touch the subject, lay down the rule generally, and apply it, as well to shipments to and from foreign ports, as to internal commerce. It is true, that in Aymar v. Astor, 6 Coioen 269. the then Ch. J., without citing a single authority, in giving the opinion of the court, says, the master of a vessel, I apprehend, is not responsible, as a common carrier, for all losses, except they happen by the act of God or the enemies r J 11 J of the country. That case has, it is believed, never been treated as law, in New-York or elsewhere. It is, indeed, repugnant to prior decisions, says Judge Story. It is not to be taken for sound law, says Judge Kent. 12 Conn. R. 414. And in McArthur v. Sears, 21 Wend. 190. this case is treated as a confessed anomaly, and disapproved as contrary to decisions in other states, and even in their own. And in a suit against the owners of a steam-boat on lake Erie, as common carriers, it was held, that nothing would excuse them, except inevitable accident, without the intervention of man, and the act of public enemies. Judge Cowen denies that this case tends to repeal the law of liability of common carriers, and treats it as turning on the exception in the bill of lading.

But it is said, there is no case where the liability is extended to fire on the high seas. If the principle covers such cases, then it is to be supposed the reason such cases are not to be found, is, that they have not occurred, or were not contested. If the carrier is subjected for the loss of goods burnt on land, where he was in no fault, we see no reason for exempting the carrier at sea, under similar circumstances. We apprehend a rule of policy, Lord Mansfield says, in the case alluded to, to prevent litigation, collusion and the necessity of going into circumstances impossible to be unravelled, the law presumes against the carriers. He is in the nature of an insurer. Every reason here given applies as well to the owners of a steam-boat, as to the wagoner, whose carriage was burnt without his fault, in the bam where he placed it — the same danger of collusion, of litigation, and the same difficulty in unravelling circumstances. If the policy of the law requires that the one shall be as an insurer, we think the same policy requires that the other should also be so treated. And if it be true, that trade will regulate itself, when the rule is understood, compensation will be made, not only in proportion to the labour, but to the risk. And in a recent case in New-York, steam-boat owners are treated as other common carriers. Powell & al. v. Myers, 26 Wend. 591.

It is stated, that by the laws of Louisiana, a different rale prevails, in regard to steam-boats ; but as the laws of that - state are, in a great measure, founded upon the civil law, they can have but little influence here.

2. The defendants claim, in the next place, that they are not liable, because of the public notice which they gave, that they would not be responsible for losses other than what arose from the fault or negligence of their officers or servants ; and they claim, that by the common law, a common carrier may limit his responsibility, by express contract, or by public notice given of such intended limitation ; in support of which they cite many cases from the English books, where that doctrine, after some diversity of opinion, has been recognized and settled. On the part of the plaintiff, it is claimed, that these decisions are modern — all since we were separated from that country — after a diversity of opinion in the English courts, and now regretted by eminent judges, and not in accordance with the principles of the common law; and that they have been rejected in New-York, as not sound law ; and that, as this contract was made in New-York, its construction must be regulated by that law. It becomes necessary, therefore, to determine by what law this construction of the contract is to be governed.

It appears that this boat was in the business of transportation from New-York to Providence ; that the plaintiff owned carriages, which he wanted to have transported to Boston ; that the defendants received them in New-York, to convey them to Boston or Providence; and that they were lost in the Sound, off Long Island, near Huntington; and the question is, by what law is this contract to be governed. The rule upon that subject is well settled, and has been often recognized by this court, that contracts are to be construed according to the laws of the state where made, unless it is presumed from their tenor, that they were entered into with a view to the laws of some other state. Bartsch v. Atwater, 1 Conn. R. 409. 416. Smith v. Mead, 3 Conn. R. 255. Brackett v. Norton, 4 Conn. R. 520. There is nothing in this case, either from the location of the parties, or the nature of the contract, which shows, that they could have had any other law in view than that of the place where it was made. Indeed, as the goods were shipped to be transported to Boston or Providence, there would be the most entire uncertainty what was to be the law of the case, if any other rule was to prevail. We háve, therefore, no doubt that the law of New-York, as to the duties and obligations of common carriers, is to be the Jaw of the case. And while we agree with the defendants, that the modern English cases are as they claim, and authorize the common carrier to limit his responsibility, by notice to that effect; we are equally clear, that the courts in the state of New-York have taken a very different, view of the subject, and held, that the rule of the common law as to the liability of common carriers, was a rule founded upon sound principles of policy, to protect the citizens from losses, the true cause of which they could seldom detect; and that it ought not, in this way, to be overthrown or evaded. In Hollister v. Nowlen, 19 Wend. 234. the supreme court of that state decided, that where a stage proprietor gave notice that all baggage should be at the risk of the owner, no contract could be implied from such notice, although it was brought home to the owner. So, also, in the case of Cole v. Goodwin & al. 19 Wend. 251. a similar decision was made; and no authority or opinion in that state has been adduced to shake or invalidate these decisions. Without, therefore, giving any opinion as to the law of this state, which the case does not require, we cannot doubt that such a notice, by the laws of New-York, cannot, in any manner, affect the liability of these defendants, as common carriers. And these decisions are certainly supported, in a most able manner, by the learned judges who have pronounced them.

3. On the trial below, the defendants also claimed, that a bill of lading was given restricting their liability, and by accepting this, the plaintiffs were precluded from any claim. On this point the judge charged the jury, that by the laws of New-York, neither the notice, nor the bill of lading, would change the liability of the defendants. To the last part of the charge, as well as the first, the defendants object. But as the jury have found there was no bill of lading, in this case, we do not see any necessity for discussing that question ; but will barely advert to the eases in the stale of. New-York, which show the ground upon which that opinion was based.

In Cole y. Goodwin, notice was given, that all baggage was at the risk of the owners ; of which notice, it was proved, the plaintiff' had knowledge. The plaintiff got out of the stage, and left his trunk ; and the carriage went on, and the trunk lost; and Bronson, J. said, that coach proprietors are answerable as common carriers, for the baggage of passen-Sers > ant^ that they cannot limit their responsibility, by a genera! notice, brought home to the employers, are now settled questionSj s0 far as this court is concerned. And the court decided, that upon these facts, the plaintiff could recover. Judge Cowen, in an elaborate argument, held, that the restrictions imposed upon common carriers for great public objects, cannot be removed, by any stipulations of the parties. 19 Wend. 251. It is said, from what fell from Judge Bronson, (who concurred in the result,) in the former case, that he did not concur in this opinion. In a subsequent case of Alexander v. Green, 3 Hill 20. Judge Bronson says, it is very questionable whether inn-keepers and common carriers can contract for a limited liability. And in a note, the reporter says, the case of Green v. Hill; was not then decided. It was therefore thought, by the judge who tried this cause, better that the jury should pass upon the fact, and leave the question to be examined by this court. As it is, we are not called upon to settle the law of New-York on the subject; much less would we intimate an opinion, that it can be considered as the law of this state, though it is supported with great learning and ingenuity.

4. The defendants, however, claim, that the court below, aside from any question arising on the bill of lading, gave an opinion to the jury, that notwithstanding any stipulations of the parties restricting the liability of the carriers, they would be liable in this case. The judge who tried the cause below, had no idea of any question of that kind. No claim was made but what arose from the notice or the bill of lading. And we think, there is nothing upon this motion, which can be fairly referred to any thing else. What are the facts and claims stated in the motion? The defendants claimed, they had given public notice that they would not be liable for losses, except what arose from want of care or negligence on the part of their servants ; and that their agents were not authorized to receive goods on board, without delivering a bill of lading,containing such restrictions. They further claimed, that the plaintiff knew of the ilotice given as above, and that they dealt with him upon that understanding. They then complain, that as to the restrictions claimed by these notices in their bills of lading, they could not, by the laws of New-York, limit their liability as common carriers. This charge met all the evidence offered by the defendants ; for the claim of the defendants is {bonded only upon the notice and the bills of lading. They do, indeed, after setting out their notice, claim, that the plaintiff dealt with them upon that understanding. By this nothing can be meant or intended, but the understanding which is implied from the notice alluded to ; and any implication against the bailor, arising from such knowledge or understanding, is explicitly repelled, in the cases alluded to, in the 19th of Wendall. We think, therefore, that the question was fully presented to the jury. They have negatived the fact as to the bill of lading ; and the effect of the notice has been settled, by the supreme court of the state of New-York. We do not, therefore, see any ground for a new trial.

5. But it is claimed, that though such be the law of New-York, as it was not, submitted to the jury to determine, the court erred. It would be going very far to send a cause back for trial, when we saw, that upon the facts shown, it appeared that it was correctly decided ; and if, upon the same facts, a jury should decide otherwise, we must grant a new trial. Perhaps, however, this might be necessary, to prevent the judge from usurping the province of the jury; and it has been decided by this court, that foreign laws, in which, for this purpose, are included the laws of our sister states, cannot be judicially noticed, but must be proved as other facts. Dyer v. Smith, 12 Conn. R. 384. Brockett v. Norton, 4 Conn. R. 521. And the existence of the law being a question of fact, it would certainly seem as if it was the duty of the jury to settle it; and the court must assist the jury, says Judge Hos-mer, in ascertaining what the law is ; but if he went further, and definitively settled the question, it was erroneous. 4 Conn. R. 520. In Kilgore v. Bulkley, 14 Conn. R. 386. there were conflicting decisions in the state of New-York ; and the judge left it to the jury to say which was law, with his opinion upon it; and the court held, that he was correct. Such were the decisions in this state; but our legislature, not willing to treat our sister states as foreign states, have enacted, that the public statutes of the several states in the United, States, printed by authority, shall be legal evidence ; and the court shall take judicial notice of them. And now this court notice these statutes as they do our own. Woodstock v. Hooker, 6 Conn. R. 36. Smith v. Brush, 10 Conn. R. 168. And in 1840, the legislature passed another act, directing the reports of the judicial decisions of other states and countries to be judicially noticed, by the courts of this state, as evidence of the common law of such state or country, and of the judicial construction of the statutes or other laws thereof. This seems to put the judicial decisions of other states on the same ground as their statutes; and if we are judicially to notice their statutes, it would seem as if, in the absence of all other evidence, we must regard their decisions, when uncontradicted, as sufficient evidence of the law.

We think, therefore, that the instructions given to the jury, under the circumstances of this case, were correct; and that there ought not to be a new trial.

In this opinion the other Judges concurred.

New trial not to be granted.