86
FEDERAL,REPonTER.
burning of the planing-mill ;was not the proximate cause of the burn· ing of the Crandall house, or that Kimball, the occupant of the house, was guilty of negligence that contributed proximately to its loss, then your verdict will. be for the lit lit lit
lit
·
_
It is admitted that the value of the Crandall building at the time it was burned was $5,846.81, and if you should find for the plaintiffs your verdict should be for that sum, with interest thereon at 7 per cent. from the twenty-sixth day of August, 1881, which was the time when this action was 'Commenced.
WITHERS v. BURKETT and another.- . (Oircuit Oourt. E. D. Teza8. TRESPASS ON REAL ESTATE.
January. 1883.)
By the common law, and by the statute law of the state of Texas, neither a devisee of real estate nor the universal legatee of the testator can bring or maintain an action for damages for a trespass committfjd on said real estate during the life of the testator. Texas Code, arts. 3128, 4858, 1201.
On Demurrer. Chilton iJ Chilton, for plaintiffs. Herndon iJ Crain, for defendants. PARDEE, J. This case has been heard upon a demurrer to action brought by devisee of land and residuary legatee for damages committedduring life of testator. The devisee claims by virtue of assignment from residuary legatee, who joins pro forma in the suit for the use of assignee. By the common law such action survives to neither. heirs nor executors and. administrators. 2 Wat. Tresp. § 980. The common law is the general rule of decision in this state. Texas Code, art. 3128. The law of the state does not authorize the devise of a claim for damages for trespass to real estate. See article Texas Code. But such action is saved to the executor or administrator. Article 1201, Texas Code. rt follows that neither of the parties now before the court 8splainI tiffs have authority to bring the action, and the demurrer should be sustained. MORRILL, J., concUl's· · Reported by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the New Orleans bar.
MOORE CAREY, JR.,
V.
LAWRENOE.
87
ROOHEREAU and others.-
(Uircuit Oourt, E. D. Louisiana. February, 1883.) AGENT-LIABILITY TO THIRD PERSONS.
An agent is liable only to his principal for nOn-fE'RSRnce. agent per 8e is liable to third persons on any account, doubted. Delaney v. 34 La. Ann. 1123, followed.
Whether an
At Law. Joseph P. Hornor and Francis W. Baker, for plaintiff. Charles E. Schmidt, for defeRdants. PARDEE, J. An agent is liable only to his principal for non-feasance. At common law this proposition is not disputed. That the same rule prevails under the law of Louisiana is settled by the very able and exhaustive opinion of Chief Justice BERMUDEZ, of the supreme court of Louisiana, in the late case of Delaney y. Rochereau, 34 La. Ann. 1123. It is very doubtful if an agent per Be is liable to third persons on any account. A person acting as agent for another is liable for his own misfeasance, but this results not from the agency but in spite of it. The exception in this case should be maintained.
MOORE;
and another v.
LAWRENCE
and others.·.
(Oircuit Oourt, N · .D. Texas. January, 1883.)
a certain place during the season shall be made to plaintiffs, and thatssid shipments shall amount to at least 200 bales, the contract is not fulfilled by the shipment of 200 bales to plaintiffs, and plaintiffs are entitled to recover con)missions upon all other shipments of cotton made by defendants to that place during the seRson. 2. SAME-COMMISSIONS. Such commissirms allowed should be the full commissions ;it appenring that plaintJi'f's main expenses were in skill, experience, and iudgment previously acquired, and that all other expense was nominal.
On Rule for a New Trial.· Wellborne, Leake cf; Henry,for plaintiffs. Crawford et Smith, for defendants·. -Reported by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the NewOrlcans bar.