Case Name: McAlister vs. Marberry
Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Decision Date: 1844-04
Citations: 4 Hum. 426
Docket Number: 
Parties: McAlister vs. Marberry.
Judges: 
Reporter: Tennessee Reports
Volume: 23
Pages: 426–427

Head Matter:
McAlister vs. Marberry.
McAlister bound himself by covenant, to pay for Robinson certain debts due by Robinson to Marberry. Marberry instituted an action of covenant against McAlister on the instrument: Held, that he had no legal interest therein, and that the action would not lie.
Covenant by Marberry against McAlister, in the Circuit Court of Obion county. McAlister pleaded two pleas, which were demurred to; the demurrers were overruled by Harris, the presiding Judge, and a writ of enquiry awarded; damages assessed;.judgment rendered, from which McAlister appealed.
Brown and McAlister, for the plaintiff in error.
S. Williams, for the defendant in error.

Opinion:
Green, J.
delivered the opinion of the court.
This is an action of covenant, brought by Marberry against McAlister, on the following instru'ment, viz:
I will pay the above debts for Samuel and Samuel M. Robinson for two negro boys, with interest and cost, when it was to be paid, and the boys delivered to me, this 26th January, 1843.
C. McAlister, [Seal.]
The defendant pleaded two pleas, to which the plaintiff demurred.
As the demurrer reached the first fault in pleading, the question is raised, whether Marberry can maintain an action for the sums which, in the memorandum in the covenant, appear to be due him from the Robinsons, and which McAlister bound himself to pay. In this case the covenant is made with the Robinsons; and McAlister engages with them, to pay for them, to the several persons mentioned in the memorandum, the sums therein stated. The covenant creates no obligation from McAlister to Marberry; but it is an undertaking to Samuel and Samuel M. Robinson, to pay Marberry for them the sum mentioned. Marberry has no legal interest created by this covenant, and he cannot, therefore, sue in his own name upon it. 1st Chitty, 3, 4.
The judgment must be reversed.