Court Opinion

ID: 7151783
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 16:01:04.358069+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:15:09.129409
License: Public Domain

Opinion of the Court by
Judge Williams:
Apellants and appellees as merchants, the former residing in Tennessee, the latter in Louisville, Kentucky, had mercantile transactions running through the years of 1862 and 1863. July 1, 1862, there was an ascertained balance due appellants of $212.15, which was transferred and settled July 22, 1865, and a balance then found due to the individual account of Burnley of $71.61, which was that day paid to him and he receipted by written memorandum the appellees in full of all claims due him or Seay & Burnley.
Nevember 16, 1866, some sixteen months subsequently Seay & Burnley filed their petition surcharging said settlement in two items, first, that they had been charged 'with 34 barrels of salt not delivered, 2nd, that appellees had erroneously and fraudulently charged for 25 per cent on the salt delivered over the Louisville market price and had charged 10 per cent commission for purchasing, but which later item they say is correct. They allege that they sold appellees 24 hogsheads of tobacco at 9 cents per pound at Gallatin, Tennessee and that appellees 'were to pay therefor in salt at the Louisville market rates, they paying freight, etc., but if the military should interfere with shipments so it could not be transported to Gallatin, then appellees were to pay for it in Tennessee currency, which they alleged was at par at home, though at 25 per cent discount at Louisville. The appel*299lants deny, that this was the contract, but say the tobacco was to be paid for in Tennessee money or if salt could be transported and permits obtained then they were to send salt adding 25 per cent for the discount on the Tennessee currency and were also to have ten per cent commission for purchasing.
They also allege that Burnley, with whom the original contract was made and who subsequently took Seay in as a partner in it, came to Louisville, had a settlement with them, examined their books and each item which was identical with the exhibits of the same subsequently furnished to and filed by appellants and that he received the balance of $71.61 and gave them a receipt in full which is exhibited.
The cause was referred to the master who reported that the evidence was insufficient to show mistake or fraud and to overturn the settlement and receipt in full and which was affirmed by the court and the petition dismissed and which is approved by a majority of this court, Judge Hardin dissenting.
1. Because the plaintiffs prove the contract as they understood and alleged it only by the brother-in-law of one of them and though his statements are corroborated in some important particulars by another, yet are not sufficient to disprove the sworn statements of the defendants as to their understanding of the contract and a deliberate settlement between the parties, after an ample opportunity to examine the items of the account including the very items now surcharged, evidenced by a receipt in full, especially after the adverse report of an intelligent master and the judgment of the lower court.
2. Because without these evidences the intrinsic probabilities to some extent fortify the defendants’ version of the contract, for it is agreed that if salt could not be sent to Tennessee then the tobacco was to be paid for in Tennessee currency then at a discount of 25 per cent at Louisville though at par in Tennessee, whilst salt would cost par funds at Louisville where the defendants were doing business. It is hardly probable that defendants would give the same price in an article which would cost them par funds at Louisville whilst they would provide for the alternate payment in cash with funds at 25 per cent discount.
3. It is apparent that the plaintiff desired much more to get the salt than the cash for their tobacco, but there were serious doubts as to getting the salt, because of the difficulties growing out *300of military blockades so prevalent during tbe late Civil War, and this renders it improbable that tbe defendants agreed to furnish it on a par with Tennessee currency or that the plaintiffs demanded this. These things go to fortify appellees’ version of the contract which after a deliberate settlement made after ample opportunity to be informed of the several items of the account and the execution of a receipt in full should not be disturbed on the fleeting recollection of these witnesses testifying more than five years after the contract was entered into and when the times were so pregnant with the most exciting and dangerous public and private incidents. There is no evidence as to the alleged deficiency of salt. Hallam, who acted as agent in the delivery, seems only to know of the delivery of 255 barrels whilst appellants acknowledged the reception of 488 barrels, and in July, 1855, settled for 522 barrels as per accounts since rendered and then open to their inspection.
Bullitt, for appellant.
Wherefore, the judgment is affirmed by a majority of the court. Judge Hardin dissenting.