Stimpson v. Sprague

6 Me. 470 | Me. | 1830

Mel-t,en C. J.

delivered the opinion of the Court at the ensuing June term in Kennebec.

The only question for decision arises upon the motion in arrest of judgment, founded upon the first count; it not being contended that there was any evidence on trial applicable to either of the other counts. The counsel contends that the cause of action set forth in the first count does not by law survive against the defendant as administratrix. It certainly is an established principle of law that actions founded on a contract made by a testator or intestate survive against the executor or administrator. The case, however, of a promise to marry, seems to be an exception, as settled in Stebbins v. Palmer, cited in argument, and in the cases there mentioned. The only material inquiry, then ,to which we are required to direct our attention, is whether an action of assumpsit would have been maintainable against the intestate in his life time, to recover damages sustained by the plaintiff by reason of the negligence alleged; for if so, then the present action is well founded. We are not called upon to decide whether an action of assumpsit will lie against a sheriff or his deputy, or a coroner, or any other legal officer, for a neglect of his official duty. The usage has been in such cases to declare in a special action on the casé, describing the negligence or malfeasance. In the case of McMillan v. Eastman, Parsons C. J. says, “ the remedy against a public officer, for neglect or misbehaviour in executing his office, is generally by an action of the case, alleging his misdemeanor, or sometimes by an action of debt, according to the nature of his misfeasance, but riot by an assumpsit as implied by Jaw.” Sprague, the intestate, was not a public .officer, and therefore does not necessarily como within the lim-' itations above specified. The general principles in relation to this subject are clearly stated by Archbold in his digest of the law relative to pleading and evidence pages 23, 24. “ If a man undertake an office, employment, trust or duty, he thereby, in contemplation of law, impliedly contracts with those who employ him, to perform that with which he is entrusted, with integrity, diligence and skill j and if he fail so to do, it is a breach of contract, for which the party may have his remedy by action on the case, or, in most cases, by action of as-sumpsit” Here the principle, so far as relates to an office or officer, does not accord with the doctrine as laid down by Parsons C. J. in the above case of McMillan v. Eastman. Archbold further observes — “ So if through any gross and culpable negligence of an attorney, his client be damnified, the client may have his remedy by action of assumpsit, or action on the case. And in 1 Chit. Pl. 92, it is said that assumpsit lies upon contracts to serve, and perform works, and against attorneys and solicitors, wharfingers, surgeons, inn-keepers, carriers and other bailees for neglect or for breach of duty. In 2 Chit. Pl. 96, is the form of a declaration in assumpsit against an attorney for neglect and breach of duty. The case of Church & al. v. Mumford, 11 Johns. 479, supports the same principle. It was an action against an attorney for negligence in the management of certain business entrusted to his personal care. The court considered all the three counts as in assumpsit. Thompson J. in giving the opinion of the court says, “ The gravamen alleged is a breach of duty arising out of an employment for him; and the same circumstances which shew a breach of duty, amounting to a tortious negligence, shew also a breach of promise, implied from the consideration of hire. A party may generally declare either waythat is, in case or assumpsit. So in assumpsit against a tenant for not using á farm in a workmanlike manner, according to the customary course ; the plaintiff must prove the occupation, and the promise results. 1 Stark. Rep. 82; Powley v. Walker, 5 D. & E. 373; Leigh v. Hewet, 4 East, 154. So in Nelson v. Aldridge, 2 Stark. Rep. 384, the plaintiff declared in assumpsit against an auctioneer for having recinded a contract of sale which he had made, contrary to his duty as .auctioneer; it was held that the action was maintainable upon the promise implied by law fromf the employment of the auctioneer, and his sale of the goods, without proof of an express promise not to rescind the contract. In Hambly v. Trott, Cowp. 372, the principle as laid down by Lord Mansfield is this — “ Where the cause of action is money due, or a contract to be performed, gain or acquisition of the testator, by the work and labor or property of another, or a promise of the testator express or implied ; where these are the causes of action, the action survives against the executor.” The court observe in Stebbins v. Palmer — “ where there is a duty as well as a wrong, an action will survive against the executor. He is responsible for the debts of the deceased, and for all undertakings and acts that create a debt, as far as there are assets.” The distinction, as stated by the court, is, that causes of action which affect the estate, survive for or against the executor; those which affect the person only do not.

An attorney, by presenting himself to the community as such, impliedly engages and promises to those who employ him that he will faithfully and carefully transact the business which may be entrusted to him ; and when this engagement is disregarded and promise violated by his unfaithfulness or inexcusable inattention, he, or his executor or administrator, must'respond in damages to the injured party. In the present case, though Mr. Sprague, the intestate, sustained the fairest reputation in his private and professional life, yet in the instance stated in the plaintiff’^ declaration, the jury have decided that be did not exercise that care and watchfulness which his duty required ; and that in consequence of his inattention the plaintiff’s loss has been sustained. We think that on legal principles the motion in arrest of judgment cannot be sustained. There must be

Judgment on the verdict.