An agent who has in his possession merchandise or goods for the account of another person, shall be responsible for their preservation in the condition in which he received the same. This responsibility shall cease when their destruction or impairment is due to accidental causes, force majeure, lapse of time, or by a defect in the article.
In cases of total or partial loss on account of lapse of time or defect in the goods, the agent shall be obliged to prove the impairment of the merchandise in a legal manner, informing the principal thereof as soon as it is observed.
History —Commerce Code, 1932, § 184.