carriers

CARRIERS, contracts. There are two kinds of carriers, namely, common 
carriers, (q.v.) who have been considered under another head; and private 
carriers. These latter are persons who, although they do not undertake to 
transport the goods of such as choose to employ them, yet agree to carry the 
goods of some particular person for hire, from one place to another. 
     2. In such case the carrier incurs no responsibility beyond that of any 
other ordinary bailee for hire, that is to say, the responsibility of 
ordinary diligence. 2 Bos. & Pull. 417; 4 Taunt. 787; Selw. N. P. 382 n.; 1 
Wend. R. 272; 1 Hayw. R. 14; 2 Dana, R. 430; 6 Taunt. 577; Jones, Bailm. 
121; Story on Bailm, Sec. 495. But in Gordon v. Hutchinson, 1 Watts & Serg. 
285, it was holden that a Wagoner Who carries goods for hire, contracts,the 
responsibility of a common carrier, whether transportation be his principal 
and direct business, or only an occasional and incidental employment. 
     3. To bring a person within the description of a common carrier, he 
must exercise his business as a public employment; he must undertake to 
carry goods for persons generally; and he must hold himself out as ready to 
engage in the transportation of goods for hire, as a business; not as a 
casual occupation pro hac vice. 1 Salk. 249; 1 Bell's Com. 467; 1 Hayw. R. 
14; 1 Wend. 272; 2, Dana, R. 430. See Bouv. Inst. Index, b. t.