Alexander v. Morris
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 no additional allowance 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 with Alexander entitled Alexander to a share in the shipment’s gain but not the loss. Morris sued Alexander in the High Court of Chancery to compel 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 in military certificates.
The Court's Decision
Chancellor Wythe declared in favor of Robert Morris. The Court of Appeals affirmed.
See also
References
- ↑ 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.
