Eden v. Legare

resolved, that the words in themselves were, in this country, actionable, and

mentioned several cases where it had been formerly held that an action lay for them j because, if true, the party would be deprived of all civil rights, and moreover, would be liable to be tried in all cases, under the negro act, without the privilege of a trial by jury. Any words, therefore, which tended to subject a citizen to such disabilities, were actionable.

As the plaintiff did not go for vindictive damages, but only to vindicate himself from slander,

Jury found Si. damages, and costs.