¶1In legal strictness, the defendant ought to have demurred to the declaration ; but the question now is, whether we shall set aside the nonsuit and grant a new trial; and in deciding this question, if'we see that no good purpose can be answered by setting the nonsuit aside, we ought to exercise a sound discretion and not grant the motion. The words charged are not actionable; and if the plaintiff should even obtain a verdjct, the judgment would be arrested. 1 Com. Dig. 179, 255, 256. 4 Co. 20. 7 Co. 44. 2 Inst. 492. 6 Com. Dig. 131. 2 T. R. 483. 2 Inst. 478. 1 Com. Dig. 274, 276. I will not say what my opinion would be, if I had the power to make the law. As my duty is confined to declaring what the law is, I must say that the nonsuit ought not to be set aside.
5 S.C.L. 241
Boyd v. Brent
Supreme Court of South Carolina
Decided November 15, 1812
Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1812-11-15
Action on the case for speaking certain false and slanderous ■words of the plaintiff’s wife. The words laid were for calling plaintiff’s wife a whore ; no special damage was laid, and the non-suit was ordered on the grouwd, that the declaration contained no cause of action.
Decided 1812-11-15