43 Mich. 438 | Mich. | 1880
McDonald sued defendants on an alleged agreement made by them to become personally responsible for the payment of all men employed under one Kennedy in getting out logs. The writing under which he sues was as follows:
“Alpena, Mich., May 10,1878.
Mr. D, A. Kennedy, Wilson Township, Mich.:
I am told that there are some fears expressed by some of your men that they will not get their pay. You may say to them all, and show them or any of them that we here agree to pay every man you have in your employ, to the last dollar that may be due him for labor, that stays by you until you put in your logs.
Bewick, Comstock & Co.”
McDonald was not in the employ of Kennedy when this letter was written, but was afterwards employed by him. There was considerable testimony on the subject of this employment, and of Kennedy’s having work of his own as well as of defendants. The court below charged that no cause of action was made out, and these questions do not become very important. The declaration declares on an original and not a collateral undertaking, but this, also, becomes immaterial in the view taken on the law of the case.
There is no error in the record, and the judgment must be affirmed with costs.