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4 Day 42

Alsop v. Magill

Supreme Court of Connecticut

Decided June 15, 1809

Supreme Court of Connecticut · decided 1809-06-15

This was an action of indebitatus assumpsit for money J had and received to the plaintiff’s use. y¡le defendants pleaded the general issue ; and, at the (.rial, the following facts appeared : The brig Hiram, « laden with a valuable cargo, and owned in equal parts a by Isaac Rileyt Lemuel Storrs and Joseph W, Alsop, (whereof John Stocking was master, and said Alsop supercargo,) was, in the year 1794, seized by a British 1 o n 1 i ship, carried into Bermuda, and condemned as…

Decided 1809-06-15

By the Court.

¶1Two questions arise in this case: First, whether Storrs was interested in the event of the suit; secondly, whether the charge of the court to the jury was correct in point of law.

¶2Alsoft, while at Bermuda, acted as agent for the owners, of whom Storrs was one. His claim for services and expenses there was against them, and not against the British government. The demand of the owners against the British government was not merely for vessel and cargo, but for all the expenses by them incurred' in their defence at Bermuda, and in the prosecution pf their claim for remuneration ; of which expenses, this bill of their agent constituted a part, as much as the fees of their proctor in Bermuda. And accordingly, the British government, in the result, awarded to the owners, as belonging to theip, the amountyof the plaintiff’s present demand. ./V '

¶3Storrs had assigned to the defendants, not merely the tight to his ope third, and Riley’s one third, of such allowance as should be made for vessel and cargo, but *45to all moneys that might be recovered as compensation from'the British government for the capture and condemnation. The effect, therefore, of Storrs’s testimony, if any, would be to discharge his own liability, and fix it on the defendants.

¶4As Storrs was entitled to two thirds of Alsoji’s bill in his claim against the British government, and as he had sold to Magill O Clay all that he was entitled to, it follows that they can fairly and honestly retain it; and Al- , soft can have no claim against them for it.

¶5Whether the charge of the court was perfectly correct in point of law, it is unnecessary to determine. Justice is done ; and a new trial ought not to be granted.

¶6New trial not to be granted.

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