Loring v. City of Boston
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Assumpsit to recover a reward of $ 1000, offered by the defendants for the apprehension and conviction of incendiaries Writ dated September 30th 1841. At the trial before Wilde, J., the following facts were proved. On the 26th of May 1837, this advertisement was published in the daily papers in Boston: “ $500 reward. The above reward is offered for the apprehension and conviction of any person who shall set fire to any building within the limits of the city.
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Assumpsit to recover a reward of $ 1000, offered by the defendants for the apprehension and conviction of incendiaries Writ dated September 30th 1841. At the trial before Wilde, J., the following facts were proved. On the 26th of May 1837, this advertisement was published in the daily papers in Boston: “ $500 reward. The above reward is offered for the apprehension and conviction of any person who shall set fire to any building within the limits of the city. May 26 1837. Samuel A. Eliot, Mayor.” On the 27th of May 183" the following advertisement was published in the same papers: “ $ 1000…
1Opinion of the CourtShaw, C. J.
There is now no question of the correctness of the legal principle on which this action is founded. The offer of a reward for the detection of an offender, the recovery of property, and the like, is an offer or proposal, on the part of the person making it, to all persons, which any one, capable of performing the service, may accept at any time before it is revoked, and perform the service; and such offer on one side, and acceptance and performance of the service on the other, is a valid contract made on good consideration, which the law will enforce. That this principle applies to the offer…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- Field v. NickersonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1816
- Symmes v. FrazierMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1810
3Cited by5 opinions
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- Wemple v. B. F. Goodrich Co.Supreme Court of New Jersey · 1941
- Timlan v. DilworthSupreme Court of New Jersey · 1908