STOPPAGE IN TRANSITII. A re sumption by the seller of the posseesion of goods not paid for, while on their way to the vendee and before he has acquired actual possession of them. 15 Me. 314.
For most purposes, the possession of the carrier is considered to be that of the buyer; hut by virtue of this right, which is an extension of the right of lien, the vendor may reclaim the possession before they reach the vendee, in case of the insolvency of the latter. 12 Pick. Mass. 313 ; 4 Gray, Mass. 336 ; 2 Caines, N. Y. 98; 8 Mees. ik W. Exch. 341.
2. The vendor, or a consignor to whom the vendee is liable for the price, 3 East, 93; 6 id. 17 ; 15 id. 419 ; 13 Me. 103 ; 1 Binn. Penn. 106 ; see 4 Campb. 31 ; 2 Bingh. N. c. 83 ; or a general or special agent acting for him, 9 1Viees. & W. Exch. 518 ; 2 Jac. & W. Ch. 349 ; 5 Whart. Penn. 189 ; 13 Me. 93. See 1 Moore & P.515 ; 4 Bingh. 479; 5 Term, 404 ; 4 Gray, Mass. 367; 1 Hill, N. Y. 302 ; 5 Mass. 157, may exercise the right.
There need not be a manual seizure : it is sufficient if a claim adverse to the buyer be made during their passage. 2 Bos. & P. 457; 7 Taunt. 169 ; 1 Esp. 240 ; 2 id. 613 ; 9 Mees. & W. Exch. 518 ; 13 Me. 93 ; 5 Den. N. Y. 333.
3. The goods sold must be unpaid for, either wholly or partially. 3 East, 102 ; 7 Term, 440 ; 15 Me. 314 ; 2 Exch. 702. See 5 Carr. & P. 179. As to the rule where a note has been given, see 2 Mees. & W. Exch. 375; 7 Mass. 453 ; 4 Cush. Mass. 33 ; 7 Penn. St. 301 ; 14 id. 48 ; where there has been a pre existing debt, 4 Campb. 31 ; 16 Pick. Mass. 475 ; 3 Paige, Ch. N. Y. 373 ; 1 Binn. Penn. 106 ; 1 Bos. & P. 563 ; where there are mu tual credits, 7 Dowl. & R. 126 ; 4 Campb. 31 ; 16 Pick. Mass. 467. The vendee must be insolvent. 6 East, 17 : 4 Ad. & E. 332 ; 5 Barnew. & Ad. 313 ; 20 Conn. 54 ; 8 Pick. Mass. 198 ; 14 Penn. St. 51 ; Smith, Mere.
Law, Am. ed. 1847, 548, u. See 3 East, 585 ; 6 C. Rob. Adm. 321.
4. The goods must be in transit, 3 Term, 466 ; 15 B. Monr. Ky. 270 ; 16 Pick. Mass. 474 ; 20 N. H. 154 ; the goods must have come actually into the hands of the vendee or some person acting for him, 2 Mees. & W. Exch. 632 ; 10 id. 436 ; 2 Crompt. & J. Exch. 218 ; 1 Pet. 386 ; 3 Mae. C. C. 107 ; 2 Strobh. So. C. 309 ; 23 Wend. N. Y. 611, or construct ively, as, by reaching the place of destina tion, 9 Barnevr. & C. 422 ; 4 C. B. 837 ; 3 Bos, & P. 320, 469 ; 7 Mass. 457 ; 20 N. H. 154 ; 2 Curt. C. C. 259 ; 3 Vt. 49, or by coming into an agent's possession, 5 East, 175 ; 7 Term, 440 ; 4 Campb. 181 ; 7 Mass. 453 ; 4 Dan. Ky. 7 ; 30 Penn. St. 254 ; see 22 Conn. 473 ; 17 N. Y. 249 ; 7 Cal. 213, or by being deposited for tlee vendee in a public store or warehouse, 5 Den. N. Y. 631 ; 7 Penn. St. 301 ; 7 Mann. & G. 360 ; 4 Campb. 251, or by delivery of part for the whole, 14 Mees. & W. Exch. 28 ; 4 Bos. & P. 69 ; 1 Carr. & P. 207 ; 1 Barnew. & C. 180 ; 2 id. 540 ; 14 B. Monr. Ky. 324, to defeat the right. As to the effect of transfer of bill of lading, see Story, Sales, 00 343-347 ; 16 N. Y. 325 ; 16 Pick. Mass. 467 ; 24 id. 42 ; 34 Me. 554 ; 3 Conn. 9 ; 24 Vt. 55 ; 4 Mas. C. C. 5 ; 6 Crutch, 338 ; 1 Pet. 445 ; 7 Ad. & E. 29.
5. The effect of the exercise of this right is to repossess the parties of the same rights which they had before the vendor resigned his possession of the goods sold. 6 East, 27; 1 Q. B. 389 ; 5 Barnew. & Ad. 339 ; 10 Barnew. & C. 99 ; 14 Me. 314 ; 5 Ohio, 98 ; 20 Conn. 53 ; 10 Tex. 2.
See, generally, Brown, Story, Long, on Sales ; Parsons, on Contracts ; Cross, on Lien; Whittaker, on Stoppage in Transitu.