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4 Watts 222

Kerns v. Piper

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Decided May 15, 1835

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · decided 1835-05-15

This was an action of debt on two single bills, not exceeding 2000 dollars, by Abraham Kerns against John Piper, William Fletcher and Jacob Fletcher. Abraham Kerns, the plaintiff, and John Piper, one of the defendants, had once been partners in trade, in the name of John Piper & Co.; and upon the dissolution of the partnership, the goods on hand were sold to John Piper and William Fletcher for 3121 dollars 42 cents: for a part of this consideration this suit was brought.

Decided 1835-05-15

Per Curiam.

¶1—The acts of a servant bind his master only when done in the course of the business committed to him, Or withiri the scope of an authority specially delegated. It certainly is no part of the ordinary business of a clerk in a store to borrow money and, *223draw bills or notes in the name of .thé firm. But the confirmation of such transactions by the firm might be evidence of previous authority : and the question is whether there was proof of such confirmation by the firm or either of the partners. Blodget, the witness relied on, proves nothing of the sort. He lent money to the firm, which was repaid with the assent of the plaintiff; but the notes were drawn by the other partner, and he does not remember that the money was lent to the clerk. The notes offered, therefore, ought not to have been received in evidence.

¶2Judgment reversed, and a venire de novo awarded.

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