Pitt County, NC - John Williams v. Ambrose Jones, 1811

                             From Pitt

A gave his bond for the hire of a slave for one year. By the terms of
the hiring he was not to employ the slave on water. He, however, did
employ the slave on water, and the slave was drowned. He was sued for
this breach of the terms of hiring, and the value of the slave recovered
against him. In an action on his bond for the hire, judgment given for
the whole amount. The hiring shall not be apportioned, because of his
breach of promise.

This was an action of debt on a bond given for the hire of a negro slave.
By the terms of the hiring the defendant was not permitted to employ
the slave on water during the time for which he was hired; but he, in
violation of these terms, employed the slave on water, and the slave was
drowned. For this he was sued, and a verdict given for the value of the
slave; and now, being sued upon his bond for the hire, a question arose,
whether the hire should be apportioned and the defendant be charged only
for the time the slave lived.

By the Court. The defendant having violated the contract of hiring, must
abide by the consequences. He ought not to be relieved from the payment
of his bond because he has thought proper to do an improper act.


Source:
NC Reports, 1811
NC Supreme Court
Pg 45

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
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