The agent, being the proxy of his principal or master, his authority or power to represent the principal so as to bind him by the act, performed is a matter of the will of the principal, it rests with the principal alone to say whether the agent shall have broad powers or restricted authority, or any authority at all.3 The agent cannot assume power to act himself. The power to act must always emanate from the principal. The authority to act may therefore be limited or broad, restricted to the performance of a particular thing, or power extending to represent the principal in matters over the management of a general business or employment. But a person dealing with the general agent may assume the agent has the powers that come within the apparent scope of the agent's authority, and the secret instructions of the principal have no force or effect on such an agent's apparent authority.

3 Johnson vs. Hurley, 115 Mo.; Pole vs. Lusk, 33 Law Journal Reports, Eg. 155; Graves vs, Horton, 38 Minn., 66.