Difference between revisions of "Alexander v. Morris"

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==Background==
 
==Background==
In November 1783, William Alexander and his son-in-law, Jonathan Williams, agreed to work for the Farmers General of France. Alexander moved to Virginia to supply the Farmers General with tobacco and Williams settled in France to receive the shipments. In March 1784, Alexander asked Robert Morris to be his shipping partner. According to the agreement, Morris shared one third of the company's gains and losses, but did not receive additional funds for services incurred outside of business expenses. In 1786, Morris entered an optional contract with the Framers General for an additional shipment of tobacco. Although Morris used his personal funds to send the additional shipment, the terms of his contract entitled Alexander to a share in the profits of the shipment but not the expenses. After fulfilling the optional contract, Morris found himself with bad credit and a heap of debt, partially after paying Alexander his share in the shipment. Morris sued Alexander in the High Court of Chancery compelling Alexander to pay the balance of his debt as well as deliver certificates Alexander obtained with Morris's profits. Morris argued that it was inequitable for him to go into debt for the shipment while Alexander speculated with his profits to make a considerable sum.
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In November 1783, William Alexander and his son-in-law, Jonathan Williams, agreed to work for the Farmers General of France. Alexander moved to Virginia to supply the Farmers General with tobacco, and Williams settled in France to receive the shipments. In March 1784, Alexander asked Robert Morris to be his shipping partner. According to the agreement, Morris shared one third of the company's gains and losses, but did not receive additional funds for services incurred outside of business expenses. In 1786, Morris entered an optional contract with the Framers General for an additional shipment of tobacco. Although Morris used his personal funds to send the additional shipment, the terms of his contract entitled Alexander to a share in the profits of the shipment but not the expenses. After fulfilling the optional contract, Morris found himself with bad credit and a heap of debt, partially after paying Alexander his share in the shipment. Morris sued Alexander in the High Court of Chancery compelling Alexander to pay the balance of his debt as well as deliver certificates Alexander obtained with Morris's profits. Morris argued that it was inequitable for him to go into debt for the shipment while Alexander speculated with his profits to make a considerable sum.
 
===The Court's Decision===
 
===The Court's Decision===
 
Chancellor Wythe rejected the claim that Morris should be entitled to the military certificates, but ultimately declared in Morris's favor. The Court of Appeals affirmed.
 
Chancellor Wythe rejected the claim that Morris should be entitled to the military certificates, but ultimately declared in Morris's favor. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

Revision as of 11:45, 25 January 2018

File:CallsReports1854V3AlexandervMorris.pdf

Alexander v. Morris, Call Vol. III 79 (1801),[1] was a case involving a contract dispute over the shipment of tobacco.

Background

In November 1783, William Alexander and his son-in-law, Jonathan Williams, agreed to work for the Farmers General of France. Alexander moved to Virginia to supply the Farmers General with tobacco, and Williams settled in France to receive the shipments. In March 1784, Alexander asked Robert Morris to be his shipping partner. According to the agreement, Morris shared one third of the company's gains and losses, but did not receive additional funds for services incurred outside of business expenses. In 1786, Morris entered an optional contract with the Framers General for an additional shipment of tobacco. Although Morris used his personal funds to send the additional shipment, the terms of his contract entitled Alexander to a share in the profits of the shipment but not the expenses. After fulfilling the optional contract, Morris found himself with bad credit and a heap of debt, partially after paying Alexander his share in the shipment. Morris sued Alexander in the High Court of Chancery compelling Alexander to pay the balance of his debt as well as deliver certificates Alexander obtained with Morris's profits. Morris argued that it was inequitable for him to go into debt for the shipment while Alexander speculated with his profits to make a considerable sum.

The Court's Decision

Chancellor Wythe rejected the claim that Morris should be entitled to the military certificates, but ultimately declared in Morris's favor. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

See also

References

  1. Daniel Call, Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Court of Appeals of Virginia, 3rd ed., ed. Lucian Minor (Richmond: A. Morris, 1854), 79.