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24 Mass. 214

Langley v. Sturtevant

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided October 30, 1828

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1828-10-30

Assumpsit. The first count alleged, that the defendants received of the plaintiff three trunks of boots to be sold and the proceeds of the sale to be accounted for and paid over. The second count was for money had and received. The trial was before Morton J. upon the general issue. The writ was dated October 4, 1821. It appeared that the plaintiff, early in the spring of 1819, consigned three trunks of boots to the defendants at Blakely, in Alabama, to sell on commission.

Decided 1828-10-30

Per Curiam.

¶1The objection made by the defendant is, that *221being a factor in a distant place, he was not obliged to remit the proceeds of the sales without orders from the consignor, and that a previous demand of the money was requisite to sustain the action. The general rule is so, when the factor conducts himself according to the usual mode of doing business ; but if he deviates, the principle may not apply. It has been argued that he is not obliged to render an account until requested. We understand the law to be otherwise. It is the duty of a factor to give notice, within a reasonable time, of his transactions. After selling, he should immediately transmit an account of sales to' the consignor, who will give directions as to the disposing of the proceeds. That the factor should be allowed to lie by for two years, without rendering an account of sales, is a novel principle. That is a negligence which deprives him of the right to set up as a defence, that no demand was made upon him to pay over the proceeds.1

¶2Judgment according to verdict.

¶3 See Dodge v Perkins, 9 Pick. 368; Colly v. Dudley, Turner & Russ. 421; Toney v. Bryant, 16 Pick. 530 ; Burton v. Collin, 3 Missouri R. 315; Selden v. Beale, 3 Green. 178; Christy v. Douglas, Wright, 485; Pearse v. Green, 1 Jac. & Walk. 135.

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