Case Name: E. Suber, Plaintiff in Error, vs. G. Pullin, Defendant in Error
Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1870-03-12
Citations: 1 S.C. 273
Docket Number: 
Parties: E. Suber, Plaintiff in Error, vs. G. Pullin, Defendant in Error.
Judges: Willard, A. J., concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 273–279

Head Matter:
E. Suber, Plaintiff in Error, vs. G. Pullin, Defendant in Error.
P. agreed, in writing, to sell to S. certain heavy articles of iron and stone, and send them to a certain station, from whence they were to he hauled by S. to the place where they were to he erected, and then P. was to take charge of the articles and have them erected, “if the foundation is completed when delivered.” P. sent the articles to the station, and gave notice thereof to S., hut he failed to haul them off, or to have the foundation made : Said, That P. could recover from S. the damages hehad sustained, underthe common counts.
where there is a special contract existing, and in full force, a recovery for a breach thereof cannot he had under the common counts. Aliter, if the contract has been rescinded or abandoned, by mutual consent or by the act of the defendant, and the plaintiff is entitled to compensation for part performance.
A recision or abandonment may be shown by the aets or omissions of a party. Express words or direct notice is not necessary.
Where work and labor is to be performed on goods by the vendor, before delivery, the contract of sale is not within the 17th Section of the Statute of Frauds.
Before ORR, J., at Newberry, October, Extra Term, 1869.
This case was brought up by writ of error from the Circuit Court for Newberry County. E. Súber, the defendant below, being the plaintiff in error.
The action was assumpsit, and the declaration contained only the common counts in indebitatus assumpsit for goods and chattels sold and delivered, work and labor done, money paid, and money had and received.
No bill of exceptions was filed, and the case was heard on a report of His Honor the presiding Judge, which is as follows:
“This ivas an action of assumpsit for goods sold and delivered by plaintiff to the defendant. The following special contract in writing was proved:
“ ‘ Captain Ephraim Súber bought of G. Pullin iron railing, No. 67, and three sets of white marble gravestones, (two sets three feet by 1 foot eight inches, and one three feet by one foot); to be sent to Hope Station, and all expenses paid there; and said Pullin is to take charge of setting the same, if the foundation is completed when delivered. They find the laborers, and haul it. Price -for the above, five hundred and fifty dollars. Size of lot, forty-five feet by forty-five. Dated Glymphville, March 13, 1859.
(Signed)’ ‘“EPHRAIM SUBER’
“It was proven that the railing and tombstones were boxed and shipped to Hope Station; that they were received; and that the defendant had notice of their arrival. The plaintiff testified that he called on three occasions — in June, July and August, or September, 1859 — to set up railing and monuments, but the foundations had not been prepared by defendant, nor any of the articles hauled from the depot to the family graveyard. The defendant never did receive the articles. When the plaintiff closed his evidence, the defendant moved for a non-suit, on the ground that, if the special contract was relied on to establish defendant’s liability, performance by plaintiff of his part of the contract should be averred and proved, or plaintiff’s willingness to perform, and that he was prevented by defendant; and that, if the special contract was waived, and the common counts only were relied on, to charge the defendant with the goods sold and delivered, that the contract was invalid, under the 17th Section of the Statute of Frauds.
“ The transcript will show the various counts in plaintiff’s declaration. There is no separate count on the special contract' though the items are set forth in one or more of tire counts; nor is there any averment of performance or willingness to perform his part of the contract, and that he was prevented by plaintiff. There was, however, proof that he went to the house of defendant to put up the work, as stipulated in the written contract offered in evidence. I overruled the motion for a non-suit with some-hesitation. The defendant offered evidence, but it is not necessary to report the same for elucidating the question made in the case. The jury found a verdict for plaintiff for $302.27.”
The error assigned by the plaintiff in error is as follows :
That His Honor the presiding Judge erred in not granting the motion for a non-suit made by the defendant, on the trial of this case, on the grounds taken, to wit:
1. That the plaintiff did not declare on the special contract in writing relied on and proved at the trial, and aver performance of, or willingness on plaintiff’s part to perform, what was promised by him in said contract, and because, if the special contract was waived, the contract was within, the 17th Section of the Statute of Frauds.
2. That, upon the contract proved, the plaintiff was not entitled to go to the jury upon the counts contained in his declaration.
Qarlington & Súber, for plaintiffs in error.
The plaintiff in the action below declared on the common counts in assumpsit upon an executed contract, whereas, the contract proved on the trial was a special agreement in writing, and execu-tory in its character.
1. The plaintiff having proved the special agreement; could not recover on the common counts, because the consideration of the special contract was executory. — 1 Chitty PL, 340, 10th Am. Ed.; Idem, 304.
The contract must be stated according to its legal effect. — Idem, 320.
A misstatement of the contract will subject the plaintiff to a non-suit. — Idem, 307, 298.
2. In order to maintain the count for goods sold and delivered to the defendant, it was essential that the goods should have been delivered to, and accepted by, him, which was not shown in the case below. — Idem, 345, 347, 159 ; Chitty oil Contracts, 374, 384, 441, 6th Am. Ed. •
The declaration should have been framed specially on the written contract for not accepting the goods, or for refusing to complete the bargain. — Idem, 347; Parnel vs. Wilson, Dudley, 372.
3. To support the count for work, and labor, and materials, the plaintiff must have completely performed the work contracted for, and, if not, it Avas necessary that he should have declared specially if the defendant had wrongfully prevented him from performing the work. — 1 Chitty PL, 348.
4. The defendant in error should have averred in his declaration performance of his part of what was required of him by the contract, as proved, or his excuse for non-performance; whereas, his declaration contained no such averment. — 1 Chitty PL, 320 to 327; Lester vs. Jewett, 11 N. Y., 453, (1854); Dana vs. King, 2 Pick., 156; Johnson vs. Wygart, 11 Wend., 48; Dakin & Bacon vs. Williams & Seward, 11 Wend., 69; Pordage vrs. Cole, 1 Saund. R., 320; Notes, 18 Johnson, 451; 1 Saund. PL and Ev., 115; Craig vs. Pride, 2 Speer, 121.
5. If the special agreement in Avriting be Avaived, and not relied upon, the contract is invalid under the 17th Section Statute of Frauds.
Jones, for defendants in error.
1. It is not necessary to declare specially on demand for Avork, and labor, and materials, or for merchandise, Avhen the plaintiff has performed his part, and the consideration is money, and time for its payment has passed. — 1 Chit. PI., 381, 382 and 317; 4 East, 147; 9 East, 498; 13 East, 97; 9 Peters, 566; 7 Craneh, 303; Buller’s Nisi Prius, 139, 140 ; Hayward vs. Kain, 1 Moody & Mal-kin, 311; Lunningdale vs. Livingston, 10 John. R., 36 ; Felton vs. Dickenson, 10 Mass., 287, 290; Fayson vs, Whitcomb, 15 Pick., 212; Sublett vs. McLin, 10 Hemphill, 181; Dermett vs. Jones, 2 Wallace Rep., 1; Hyde vs. Lever se, 1 Craneh, 408 ; Maupin vs. Ric, 2 Craneh, 38 ; Broekett vs. Hammond, 2 Craneh, 56; Paresh vs. U. S., 1 Nott & H., 357; 4 Bos. & Pul. Rep., 351; 6 East, 564; 2 Saunders, 350, Note A; Bank of Columbia vs. Patterson, 7 Craneh, 299; Fitsg. Rep., 303; Chesapeake Canal Co. vs. Knap, 9 Peters, 541; Repsico vs. Bonte, 3 Craneh, 425 ; 2 Smith’s Leading Cases, 21-34; Laden vs. Seymour, 24 Wend., 62 ; Newman vs. Me Gregor, 5 Ham., (0) 351; Porter vs. Talcott, 1 Cowan, 378-386 ; Baker vs. Covney, 19 Pick., 496 ; Coles vs. Homes, 2 Spear, 360; 4 Rob. Prac., 496, 7 and 8.
2. It is not necessary to declare specially on demands for work, and labor, or merchandise, when the contract has been put an end to, or the defendant refuses or- neglects to do his part. — Raymond vs. Bearnard, 12 John. R., 276; Jones vs. Barkly, 2 Dougl., 694; Franklin vs. Leach, 5- Cowan, 506; Sugden on Vendors, 10 Ed., 374; Laird vs. Prince, 7 M. and Weis., 474; Craig vs. Pride, 2 Spear, 121; Hill vs. Barrett, 14 B. Monroe, 8 ; Persons vs. Hart, 11 Wheaton, 237 ; Ames vs. LeRue, 2 McLean, 216; Wethers vs. Reynolds, 2 B. & Ad., 882; Blanche vs. Colburn, 8 Bing., 14; Franklin vs. Miller, 4 Adol. and Ellis, 599 ; Towers vs. Barrett, 1 Term Rep., 36 ; Rye vs. Stubbs, 1 Hill’s L., 384; Algeo vs. Algeo, 10 Serg. & R., 235; Moulton vs. Trash, 9 Metcalf, 577; Hog-land vs. Moore, 2 Blackford, 167 ; Lockwood vs. Barnes, 3 Hill N. Y., 129 ; Stephens’ Nisi Prius, 299 and 300; Streeter vs. Horlock, 1 Bing., 37; Leeds vs. Brenoios, 12 East, 1; Poulter vs.' Kittingbeck, 3 Bos. & Puller, 197; Gorden vs. Martin, Fitsg., 302.
■ 3. It v'as not necessary that plaintiff should have made an actual delivery to defendant, but only a constructive delivery, to enable him to sustain indebitatus assumpsit. — 1 Stephens’ Nisi Prius, 293; Smith vs. Chase, 2 Barn. & Aid., 753; Nicholle vs. Plume, 1 Car. & P., 272.
4. The contract in this case is not within the 17th Sec. of Stat. Frauds, because the goods were not ready for delivery, but some labor had to be bestowed on them.— Gadsden vs. Lance, 1 McMullen Eq., 91; Towers vs. Osborne, Str., 506 ; Clayton vs. Andrews, 4 Bur., 2101; Grover vs. Budc, 2 Maul & Sel., 178 ; Bird vs. Muhlinbrunk, 1 Rich., 199; Winship vs. Buzzard, 9 Rich., 103 ; Cason vs. Chu-ley, 6 Georgia R., 554; Cummings vs. Dennett, 26 Maine, 401; Spencer vs. Cone, 1 Metcalf, 283; Matteron vs. Westcott, 13 Verm,, 261; Allen vs. Daivis, 20 Conn. R., 38.
March 12, 1870.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Moses, C. J.
It is assigned that there was error, on the part of the Judge below, in holding that a recovery could not be had under the common counts, because the parties had entered into a special contract. It is settled, beyond controversy, that where there is a special contract existing and in full force, a resort for the breach of it cannot be had to the common counts. — 1 Chit. Pl., 342; Power vs. Wells, Cowp., 818; Weston vs. Downes, Doug., 23; Raymond et al. vs. Bearnard, 12 Johns., 274; Clark vs. Smith, 14 Johns., 326. It proceeds upon the plain and well recognized prin--ciple that, if there is an express promise still existing, the party is precluded from a remedy founded on an implied one.
The terms of a special contract express the conditions and provisions which the parties have prescribed for themselves. The implied obligation, which arises from the consideration, is substituted by the law in the absence of an agreement which declares the intent of those who are to be, respectively, bound by its terms. Where, therefore, one undertakes either to do specific work, or deliver goods, he is held to his assumption according to the true meaning of his contract, and this is to be ascertained by an action on the agreement itself.
If, however, it has been rescinded, either by mutual consent or by the act of one of the parties, and a right to compensation has accrued to the other of them by reason of part performance, such right may be enforced through the common counts. It is not to be understood that a recision of the contract can only be effected by words, or direct notice, indicative of that purpose; but any act, by the one or the other, which necessarily prevents the performance of the mutual undertaking, will amount to an abandonment. Wherever the conduct of either can be viewed in no other aspect than as a relinquishment of the contract, it is to be regarded as rescinded, and the party against whom the breach has thus been made may avail himself of the common counts. The remedy is accorded to him because he has been prevented from completing his undertaking by the direct interposition of - the other party.
To sustain these positions reference may be had to what is said by Buller, J., in Towers vs. Barret, 1 T. R., 136; to Gillett vs. Maynard, 5 Johns., 86; Dubois vs. Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, 4 Wen., 285; and to our own cases of Rye vs. Stubbs, 1 Hill, 384; Martin vs. Howel, 2 Tr. Con. Rep., 750; Stent vs. Hunt, 3 Hill, 223; Bradshaw vs. Branan, 5 Rich., 466.
By the agreement, the defendant was the purchaser from plaintiff of certain iron railing and tombstones, which he was to send to Hope Station, and pay the expenses therefor. The defendant was to haul the materials to the place of erection, but the plaintiff was to set up the same, if the foundation was completed when the articles were delivered. The price to be paid by the defendant for the materials, and setting them up, was $550.
The evidence proved that the stones and iron railing were sent by the plaintiff to the station, and notice thereof given to the defendant; that the plaintiff, after this, called on him several times to remove the articles to the graveyard, and prepare the founda-' tion, with neither of which requests did he comply. Under these facts, it is clear that his neglect or refusal prevented the plaintiff from completing the contract, on his part, according to its intent; and, unless he can recover in this form, he would be without remedy for the value of the materials he furnished, and the work and labor he bestowed to place them in the condition essential to the purposes for which they were required by the defendant. His failure to pei\-form the agreement, on his part, which was necessary to the complete fulfillment of all the stipulations required of the plaintiff under it, amounted to an abandonment of the contract by the defendant.
He contends, too, that if the special contract was waived, the plaintiff cannot recover, by reason of the 17th Section of the Statute of Frauds.
It might be sufficient to say that the verdict could be sustained on the demand for work and labor, and this would prevent the objection growing out of the statute.
The contract was in writing, and was offered in evidence as a standard by which the measure of damages was to be regarded. If it had existed only in parol, the exception -would not have been well taken. The prominent articles to be furnished by the plaintiff were gravestones, of stated dimensions. He was to inscribe upon them at least the name and the date of the birth and death of the several deceased to whose memory they were to be dedicated.
They were not tombstones at the time of the agreement, and work and labor were to be bestowed upon the marble by the vendor to constitute them the articles demanded by the defendant. The work, and labor are to be regarded as indispensable parts of the contract.
The whole subject is fully considered in the case of Bird vs. Muhlinbrink, 1 Rich., 199, which holds such an agreement not within the Statute of Frauds.
The judgment of the Court below is affirmed.
Willard, A. J., concurred.