from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
FORWARDING MERCHANT, contracts. A person who receives and forwards goods,
taking upon himself the expenses of transportation, for which he receives a
compensation from the owners, but who has no concern in the vessels or
wagons by which they are transported, and no interest in the freight. Such
an one is Dot deemed a common carrier, but a mere warehouseman or agent. 12
Johns. 232; 7 Cowen's R. 497. He is required to use only ordinary diligence
in sending the property by responsible persons. 2 Cowen's R. 593.