New York Court of Appeals

Charles I. Baldwin, Respondents v. the United States Telegraph Company, Appellants

June 6, 187145 N.Y. 744

Summary

The Court reversed the judgment awarding special damages to the plaintiffs, holding that the United States Telegraph Company was not liable for the loss incurred from the non‑delivery of a telegraph message because no agency or partnership existed with the other carrier and the plaintiffs' special purpose was unknown to the defendant, limiting damages to the ordinary cost of transmission.