Houghton v. Furbush

185 Mass. 251 | Mass. | 1904

Hammond, J.

The original declaration contained three counts, the first being on an account annexed apparently as for goods sold and delivered, the second being for balance due the plaintiffs on an accounting together, and the third being for interest. The answer contained a general denial, and set up fraud on the part of the plaintiffs. Upon these pleadings the case went to trial. At the close of the evidence the defendant asked the judge to rule in substance that upon the whole evidence the plaintiff could not recover; and that “ the action should have been for damages for the breach of a special contract.” The defendant also requested certain rulings as to the rule of damages, and as to fraud. In this state of things the case was argued and submitted to the judge sitting without a jury. Subsequently, without announcing any final decision, the judge notified the counsel for the plaintiffs that in his opinion it was doubtful if the action could be maintained upon the declaration. The counsel for the plaintiffs then moved for leave to amend his declaration by adding thereto a count for breach of contract in refusing to take the books which the defendant had ordered. After a hearing this motion was granted and the defendant excepted. The judge “ found for the plaintiffs on the amended declaration in the sum of five hundred and sixty-one dollars as damages for breach of the contract.” The defendant excepted to the rulings of the judge and to the refusal to give the rulings requested.

The exception to the allowance of the amendment is not argued, and therefore in view of its nature we consider it waived.

The record discloses no evidence to establish the defence of fraud. The contract when made was binding upon the defendant, and it does not appear that by rescission or otherwise she has been released from it. She must be held, therefore, and the only remaining questions relate to the assessment of damages. Upon this question the defendant requested the judge to rule (1) that the plaintiffs could recover only nominal damages, (2) that they could recover “ only the actual expense made before the order was countermanded,” and further (3) that “ the measure of damages is the difference between the market value at the time and place of delivery and the contract price, and no evidence having been introduced of that difference, the court can award nominal damages only.” A short but decisive answer to the first two requests is that they each exclude from the amount of damages the item of profit which the plaintiffs would have made from the contract. They were therefore properly refused. The last ruling requested was given so far as it stated the rule of damage. So far, therefore, as respected the rule of damage the defendant has no ground for complaint as to the manner in which the judge dealt with her requests. The counsel for the defendant has addressed an argument to us in support of the proposition that upon the receipt of the countermanding order from the defendant it was the duty of the plaintiffs to stop at once and make the damage to the defendant as light as possible, but we have not found it necessary to consider how far the principle that a party to an executory contract, by a notice to the other party of his intention not to comply with its terms, can reduce his liability for damages, is applicable to this case, because we do not think that that question is fairly raised on this record.

While the evidence as to the market value at the time and place of delivery was slight, still we cannot say as matter of law that it did not justify the finding made by the judge.

Exceptions overruled.