TRADER. One who makes it his business to buy merchandise or goods and chattels1, and to sell the same for the purpose of making a profit. The quantum of dealing2 is immaterial, when an intention to deal generally exists. 3 Stark3. 56; 2 C. P. 135; 1 T. R. 572.
2. Questions as to who is a trader most frequently arise under the bankrupt laws, and the most difficult among them are those cases where the party follows a business which is not that of buying and selling principally, but in which he is occasionally engaged in purchases and sales.
3. To show who is a trader will be best illustrated4 by a few examples: A farmer who in addition to his usual business, occasionally buys a horse not calculated for his usual occupation, and sells him again to make a profit, and who in the course of two years had so bought and sold five or six horses, two of which had been sold after be bad bought them for the sake of a guinea profit, was held to be a trader. 1 T. R. 537, n.; 1 Price, 20. Another firmer who bought a large quantity of potatoes, not to be used on his farm, but merely to sell again for a profit, was also declared to be a trader. 1 Str. 513. See 7 Taunt6. 409; 2 N. R. 78; 11 East, 274. A butcher who kills only such cattle as be has reared himself is not a trader, but if he buy them and kill and sell them with a view to profit, he is a trader. 4 Burr. 21, 47. See 2 Rose, 38; 3 Camp. 233 Cooke, B. L. 48, 73; 2 Wils. 169; 1 Atk. 128; Cowp.745. A brickmaker who follows the business, for the purpose of enjoying the profits of his real estate merely, is not a trader; but when he buys the earth by the load or otherwise, and manufactures it into bricks, and sells them with a view to profit, he is a trader. Cook, B. L. 52, 63; 7 East, 442; 3 C. P. 500; Mood. M. 263 2 Rose, 422; 2 Glyn J. 183; 1 Bro. C. C. 173. For further examples, the reader is referred to 4 M. R. 486; 9 B. C. 577; 1 T. R. 34; 1 Rose, 316; 2 Taunt. 178; 2 Marsh7. 236; 3 M. Scott. 761; 10 Bing. 292 Peake, 76; 1 Vent8. 270; 3 Brod. B. 2 6 Moore, 56.
TRADITIO BREVIS MANUS. This term is used in the civil law to designate the delivery of a thing, by the mere5 consent of the parties; as, when Peter holds the property of Paul as bailee, and, afterwards, he buys it, it is not necessary that Paul should deliver the property to Peter, and he should re-deliver it to Paul, the mere consent of the parties transfers the title to Paul. 1 Duverg. n. 252; 6 Shipl. R. 231; Poth. Pand. lib. 50, CDLXXIV.; 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 944.
