New York Court of Appeals

Samuel Craighead, Executors v. Robert Peterson, Respondent

January 29, 187872 N.Y. 279

Summary

The Court affirmed the judgment of the General Term, holding that the power of attorney executed by the defendant did not authorize the agent to make the promissory notes and that the defendant did not ratify those notes. The Court emphasized that formal instruments delegating authority are strictly construed and that ratification requires a deliberate, knowing act.