PARTIES, contracts. Those persons who engage themselves to do, or not to do
the matters and things contained in an agreement.
2. All persons generally can be parties to contracts, unless they labor
under some disability.
3. Consent being essential to all valid contracts, it follows that
persons who want, first, understanding; or secondly, freedom to exercise
their will, cannot be parties to contracts. Thirdly, persons who in
consequence of their situation are incapable to enter into some particular
contract. These will be separately considered.
4.-Sec. 1. Those persons who want understanding, are idiots and
lunatics; drunkards and infants,
5.-1. The contracts of idiots and lunatics, are riot binding; as they
are unable from mental infirmity, to form any accurate judgment of their
actions; and consequently, cannot give a serious and sufficient
consideration to any engagement. And although it was formerly a rule that
the party could not stultify himself; 39 H. VI. 42; Newl. Contr. 19 1 Fonb.
Eq. 46, 7; yet this rule has been so relaxed, that the defendant may now set
up this defence. 3 Camp. 128; 2 Atk. 412; 1 Fonb. Eq. n. d.; and see Highm.
on Lun. 111, 112; Long on Sales, 14; 3 Day's Rep. 90 Chit. on Contr. 29,
257, 8; 2 Str. 1104.
6.-2. A person in a state of complete intoxication has no agreeing
mind; Bull. N. P. 172; 3 Campb. 33; Sugd. Vend. 154 Stark. Rep. 126; and his
contracts are therefore void, particularly if he has been made intoxicated
by the other party. 1 Hen. & Munf. 69; 1 South. Rep. 361; 2 Hayw. 394; see
Louis. Code, art. 1781; 1 Clarke's R. 408.
7.-3. In general the contract of an infant, however fair and
conducive to his interest it may be, is not binding on him, unless the
supply of necessaries to him be the object of the agreement; Newl. Contr. 2;
1 Eq. Cas. Ab. 286; l Atk. 489; 3 Atk. 613; or unless he confirm the
agreement after he shall be of full age. Bac. Abr. Infancy; I 3. But he may
take advantage of contracts made with him, although the consideration were
merely the infant's promise, as in an action on mutual promises to marry.
Bull. N. P. 155; 2 Str. 907; 1 Marsh. (Ken.) Rep. 76; 2 M. & S. 205. See
Stark. Ev. pt. iv. page 724; 1 Nott & McCord, 197; 6 Cranch, 226; Com. Dig.
Infant; Bac. Abr. Infancy and Age; 9 Vin. Ab. 393, 4; Fonb. Eq. b. 1 c. 2;
Sec. 4, note b; 3 Burr. 1794; 1 Mod. 25; Str. 937; Louis. Code, article
1778.
8.-Sec. 2. Persons who have understanding, who, in law, have not
freedom to exercise their will, are married women; and persons under duress.
9.-1. A married woman has, in general, no power or capacity to
contract during the coverture. Com. Dig. Baron & Feme, W; Pleader, 2 A 1.
She has in legal contemplation no separate existence, her husband and
herself being in law but one person. Litt. section 28; see Chitty on Cont.
39, 40. But a contract made with a married woman, and for her benefit, where
she is the meritorious cause of action, as in the instance of an express
promise to the wife, in consideration of her personal labor, as that she
would cure a wound; Cro. Jac. 77; 2 Sid. 128; 2 Wils. 424; or of a bond or
promissory note, payable on the face thereof to her, or to herself and
husband, may be enforced by the husband and wife, though made during the
coverture. 2 M. & S. 396, n. b.; 2 Bl. Rep. 1236; 1 H. Black. 108. A married
woman has no original power or Authority by virtue of the marital tie, to
bind her husband by any of her contracts. The liability of a husband on his
wife's engagements rests on the idea that they were formed by his authority;
and if his assent do not appear by express evidence or by proof of
circumstances from which it may reasonably, be inferred, he is not liable. 1
Mod. 125; 3 B. & C. 631; see Chitty on Cont. 39 to 50.
10.-2. Contracts may be avoided on account of duress. See that word,
and also Poth. Obl. P. 1, c. 1, s. 1, art. 3, Sec. 2.
11.-Sec. 3. Trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, and all
other, persons who make a contract for and on behalf of others, cannot
become, parties to such contract on their own. account; nor are they allowed
in any case to purchase the trust estate for themselves. 1 Vern. 465; 2 Atk.
59; 10 Ves. 3; 9 Ves. 234; 12 Ves. 372, 3 Mer. Rep. 200; 6 Ves. 627; 8 Bro.
P. C. 42 10 Ves. 381; 5 Ves. 707; 13 Ves. 156; 1 Pet. C. C. R. 373; 3 Binn.
54; 2 Whart. 53; 7 Watts, 387; 13 S. & R, 210; 5 Watts, 304; 2 Bro. C. C.
400; White's L. C. in Eq. *104-117; 9 Paige, 238, 241, 650, 663; 1 Sandf. R.
251, 256; 3 Sandf. R. 61; 2 John. Ch. R. 252; 4 How. S. C. 503; 2 Whart. 53,
63; l5 Pick. 24, 31. As to the transactions between attorneys and others in
relation to client's property, see 2 Ves. jr. 201; 1 Madd. Ch. 114; 15 Ves.
42; 1 Ves. 379; 2 Ves. 259. The contracts of alien enemies may in, general
be avoided, except when made under the license of the government, either
express or implied. 1 Kent, Com. 104. See 15 John. 6; Dougl. 641. As to the
persons who make contracts in equity, see Newl. Cont. c. 1, pp. l to 33.