Bird v. Swain
William W. Bird v. John F. Swain
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Summary
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Opinion of the Court
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Virgin, J.
The plaintiff counted on an alleged verbal contract whereby the defendant warranted a horse which he bargained and delivered to the plaintiff, on November 12, 1884, to be "all right and good to work.”
The defendant pleaded infancy.
By agreement the action was referred by rule of court. The referees reported in substance that on the day named, the defendant being then more than twenty, but less than twenty-one years of age, bargained and delivered to the plaintiff a horse, receiving therefor a cow, a pair of steers and the plaintiff’s note for sixty-five dollars on six months, in which it was stipulated that the horse should remain the defendant’s property until the note was fully paid. After maturity, the note was paid to the defendant who then had attained his majority.
The referees made an alternative report that if the action is maintainable, they find a promise and assess damages at twenty-five dollars — otherwise no promise. The referees find no ratification in writing. The report of the refez’ees was accepted and judgment ordered for the defendant, whereupon the plaintiff alleged exceptions.
We are of opinion that the exceptions must be overruled. R. S., c. 111, § 2, provides that no action shall be maintained on any contract made by a minor, unless he or some person lawfully authorized, ratified it in writing after he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, except for necessaries or real estate,” &c.
*531 No fact found by the referees brings the case within the provisions of the statute. The early authorities cited by the plaintiff declare the common law rule of ratification, and the cases were decided before the statute above mentioned was enacted in 1845. Davis v. Dudley, 70 Maine, 236, related to real estate which is an exception expressly mentioned in the statute.
Even if the indorsement on the note — "the within note being: paid, I hereby discharge the property thereby secured,” was signed by the defendant after he became of age, it cannot be-construed as a "ratification in writing” of the alleged warranty of the horse.
Dxceptions overruled.
Peters, C. J., Walton, Libbey, Foster and Haskell, JJ., concurred.
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