Gaius, On Oral Obligations. If a slave, or a son under paternal control, stipulates as follows, “Do you promise to give this article or that, whichever I may wish?” neither the father nor the master, but only the son or the slave, can decide as to the selection of one of the articles. 1If a stranger personally is included in the stipulation, for instance, as follows, “Whichever one Titius may choose,” the stipulator has no right to demand either of the articles, unless Titius has selected it. 2Although a ward can legally stipulate from the moment when he can speak for himself, still, if he is under the control of his father, he will not be liable, unless with his authority; but a child who has arrived at puberty, and is under paternal control, is usually liable just as if he were the head of a household. What we have remarked with reference to a minor can also be said to apply to a son under paternal control who has not yet reached the age of puberty. 3If I stipulate as follows, “Do you promise to pay me or Titius?” and you answer that you will pay me; it is the opinion of all the authorities that you have properly replied to the interrogatory, for the reason that it is established that the right of obligation has been acquired by me alone, but only Titius should be paid. 4If the following stipulation should be made between persons who are at Rome, namely, “Do you promise to pay to-day at Carthage?” some authorities hold that such a stipulation does not always include what is impossible; because it may happen that both the stipulator and the promisor may have, some time previously, notified their agent that a stipulation would be made upon a certain day, and the promisor may have directed his steward to make payment, and the stipulator his to receive it; because, if entered into in this way, the stipulation would be valid. 5When I stipulate for myself or for Titius, it is said that I cannot stipulate for one thing for myself and another for him, as, for instance, ten aurei for myself, or a slave for Titius. If, however, what was specifically designated for Titius is given to him, although the promisor will not be released by operation of law, he still can plead an exception by way of defence. 6Different dates, however, may be fixed, for example, “Do you promise to pay me on the Kalends of January, or Titius on the Kalends of February?” and, again, a nearer date can be agreed upon with reference to Titius, as follows, “Do you stipulate to pay me on the Kalends of February, and Titius on the Kalends of January?” In this case we understand the stipulation to mean, “If you do not pay Titius on the Kalends of January, do you promise to pay me on the Kalends of February?” 7Moreover, I can stipulate for myself absolutely, or for Titius under a condition. On the other hand, if I stipulate for myself under a condition, and for Titius absolutely, the entire stipulation will be void, unless the condition relating to me personally should not be fulfilled: that is to say, the additional obligation will not be valid unless the one which has reference only to me individually takes effect. This, however, can only be determined in this way, if it becomes evident that Titius was added unconditionally; otherwise, if I should stipulate as follows, “If a ship arrives from Africa, do you promise to pay me, or Titius?” Titius is considered to have been added under the same condition. 8From this it appears that if one condition is imposed with reference to me, and another with reference to Titius, and that which has reference to me should not be fulfilled, the entire stipulation will be of no force or effect; but if my condition as well as that of Titius is complied with, payment can be made to Titius, still, if the condition should fail with reference to him, it will be considered as not having been added. 9From all these things it is evident that although another person cannot properly be added, the stipulation is none the less valid, so far as we are concerned.

Gaius, On Oral Obligations. If Titius and I stipulate for anything, and it is understood to have reference to one of us in particular, we cannot act as joint-stipulators for the entire amount; as, for example, where we stipulate for an usufruct, or that property shall be given us by way of dowry, and this was stated by Julianus. He also says that if Titius and Seius stipulate for ten aurei, or Stichus, who belongs to Titius, they should not be considered as two joint-stipulator s, as only ten aurei will be due to Titius, and Stichus, or ten aurei will be due to Seius. The result of this opinion is, that whether he pays either of the stipulators ten aurei, or delivers Stichus to Seius, he will still remain liable to the other; but it must be held that if he pays ten aurei to either of them, he will be released from liability, so far as the other is concerned.

Gaius, On Oral Obligations, Book II. It is one thing to be able to pay Titius in accordance with the terms of a stipulation, and another for this to take place by my permission. For if payment is properly made by virtue of the stipulation, the creditor can legally be paid even if I forbid it to be done; but if I permit payment to be made, this will not be legal, if, before it takes place, I notify the promisor not to pay.