Case Name: Turner & Renshaw v. Wheaton & Al.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1841-01
Citations: 17 La. 37
Docket Number: 
Parties: Turner & Renshaw v. Wheaton & Al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 17
Pages: 384–385

Head Matter:
Turner & Renshaw v. Wheaton & Al.
Tlio exclusion of warranty in a sale, does not absolve a vendor from the obligation of disclosing the redhibitory vices not apparent — O. C. 2480,2526; 1 M. 150; 6 M. 696; T M. 83; IT L. 9T; 4 R. 155; 6 A. 304.
Where tlie seller failed to inform the buyer that the slave was a runaway, it was held sufficient to rescind the sale, although sold without any warranty except as to title.
Appeal from the court of the first judicial district.
This is an action against the maker and indorser of a promissory note for $228 75, and interest.
Wheaton, the maker of the note, admits his signature, hut avers it was given in part and for the price of a slave which he purchased from the plaintiffs for the sum of $610. He further states that he paid part cash and gave his two notes, (the first of which is now sued on,) for the price. That at the time he purchased said slave she was a thief and runaway, which was known to plaintiffs and withheld from him; and that she is worthless, and of such notorious had character that had he known it, he would not have purchased her. He avers he has tendered her to the plaintiffs and demanded a return of the price, which they have refused. He therefore prays judgment in re-convention for a rescission of the sale, the return of the amount he has paid, and that his notes he given up.
The case was tried on this issue. It turned mainly on the testimony relating to the redhibitory vices set up in- the reconventional demand. The plaintiffs rested their case, principally on the ground that they sold without warranty, except the title, and are not liable for any redhibitory vices; and further that the evidence does not show such a habit of running away as to materially affect the character of the slave; and the allegation that she was a thief is not proved.
The district judge was however of opinion both allegations of defendant, Wheaton, in his reconventional demand were proved, and that the redhibitory vices complained of existed to the knowledge of the plaintiffs at the time of the sale, and were concealed from the purchaser. There was judgment against the plaintiffs, and in favor of the defendants, allowing the reconventional demand. The plaintiffs appealed.
O. M. Jones for the plaintiffs.
Durcmt for the defendant:
1. There is no error in the judgment of the court below, the same being fully supported by the evidence and the law applicable to the case.
2. It is clearly shown by the proof that the slave was a thief and a runaway to the knowledge of the vendors at the time of sale, and that they concealed these facts from vendee.
3. A guaranty of title only in the sale, oannot absolve the vendor from the obligation of disclosing the vices, not apparent, which he knows to exist.

Opinion:
Mobphy, J.
delivered the opinion of the court.
The defendants being sued as the drawer and indorser of a note of hand, Wheaton, the drawer, pleaded in answer and reconvention that the note had been given by him in part payment of the price of a negro woman purchased of plaintiffs. That the slave was a notorious thief and runaway, to the knowledge of the vendors, who concealed the fact, instead of declaring it, as they were bound to do. There was 'a judgment below rescinding the [39] sale and decreeing the reimbursement of such part of the price as had been' paid.
It appears from the record that the slave was warranted only as to title, but not as to the vices and maladies provided against by law. This court has always held that the exclusion of warranty in a sale does not absolve a vendor from the obligation of disclosing the vices, not apparent, which he knows to exist. 6 Mart. Eep. 699; † Mart. Eep. 33; La. Oode, art. 2526. As to the evidence it satisfies us, as it did the judge below, of the existence of the vices complained of; and of plaintiffs' knowledge of at least one of - them. The circumstance of their vendor testifying that when he informed them that the slave was a runaway, he told them at the same time where she would probably go, cannot assist plaintiffs. Had they made the same communication to Wheaton, he would not perhaps have made the purchase. The same witness informs us that whenever she ran away from plaintiffs she did not come directly to his house; that he understood from plaintiffs on those occasions that she had been absent two or three days before she was found at his house. The testimony of several other witnesses shows that her bad habit began long before the sale, and continued while she was in the possession of defendants. One of the witnesses represents her as such.a worthless creature' that he would not take her as a gift, with the obligation of keeping her six months.
The judgment of the district court is therefore affirmed, with costs.