A new trial has been asked for in the present case on account of misdirection. The court instructed the jury that if a partnership was proved to have existed between the plaintiff, the defendant, and Mr. Seiler, and the accounts remained open and unsettled, the plaintiff was entitled to a judgment quod computet without proof that any money came into the hands of the defendant from any person whatever; and although common, it was not necessary to name any person in the narr through whom it was paid; and if laid, need not be proved. Was tins instruction correct? We were aware, at the time, that this was going a step beyond James v. Brown (1 Dall. 339); where McKean, C. J., says that the action should be liberally construed in this State, where we have no court of chancery;
In the case under consideration, the evidence showed a partnership between Dougherty, Seiler, and Demmy. It was proved that Dougherty furnished the money, but neither bought or sold; that Demmy purchased, and Seiler disposed of the goods. Yet we have required Dougherty to account, without proof that any money or property of the firm came into his hands. This is contrary to the rules of law regulating the action of account render. We are satisfied that we misdirected the jury in a material point, and therefore must order a new trial. We also greatly doubt the sufficiency of the narr, as it does not name any person from whom money was received on joint account; and if it avers, as in Demmy v. Seiler, that goods of the firm were received to be sold, it is unsupported by the evidence.
