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29 S.C.L. 271

Bailey v. Jeffords

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided January 15, 1844

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1844-01-15

Before Wardlaw, J. at Charleston, May Term, 1842. This was an action for killing a cow and hog. The parties live on James’ Island, their plantations separated in one quarter by a creek, fordable at low tide, and in another quarter by a public road running through a lane, on the several sides of which are their pastures. The plaintiff’s plantation is managed by his driver, Stephen. The defendant i-esides on his.

Decided 1844-01-15

¶1Ouria, per

Richardson, J.

¶2In the case of Richardson vs. Dukes, 4 M’Cord, 156, which was trespass for shooting a negro, it was adjudged, that even in actions of tort, as in the case before the Court, where property is destroyed, its value furnishes the measure of damages; from which if the jury materially depart, the Court will order a new trial; and accordingly a new trial was ordered in that case. This rule has been recognized and acted upon in several other cases, and is essential to the peace, order and justice of civil government. In torts, other than for the destruction of property, no specific measure of damages can be laid down. But the value of property wilfully destroyed would seem to be due ex debito justicias. A new trial is therefore ordered.

O’Neall, Evans, Butler and Wardlaw, JJ. concurred.
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