Case ID: scl_5/html/0404-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Smith, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, COLUMBIA,
    NOV., 1814.
    Jacob Richardson ads. John M’Cray.
    A master is not liable for the expences attendant on the prosecution of his ■ negro slaves.
    The defendant was the owner of a certain negro slave, who had committed some crime in Barnwell district; and he had been arrested at the instance of the plaintiff, to answer for this offence. The negro escaped, and got into Charleston, where he was apprehended and committed to the work' house. The plaintiff, without any authority or request from the defendant, went to the work house, and paid the fees for apprehending and dieting this negro, and brought him to Barnwell, where he was tried for the crime of which he was first charged ; and then the plaintiff brought this action to recover the expenses paid by him at the work house, and his own expenses in bripging him to Barnwell. The presiding judge gave a decree for the plaintiff, on the ground of mopey laid out and expended for the defendant.
    Stark, for the motion. Haygood, contra.
    
   Smith, J.

This doctrine would be monstrous. In the first place, the defendant was not liable for the expenses attendant on the prosecution of his negro for a public offence ; and secondly, because it would thwart every principle of law, to make him so upon the mere act of the plaintiff.

No man can, by a voluntary payment of the debt of another, make himself that man’s creditor. This is the opinion of Lord Kenyon, in 8 Durnf. and East, 613. The same judge gives his opinion on the same ground-, in another case, same book, 310. And the position is so self evident, that it cannot need authorities to maintain it. I am of opinion that a new trial should be granted.

Bay, Nott, Brevakd, and Colcock, Js., concurred.