Pope v. Welsh's Adm'r

This is an action, brought in the court below,'by Welsh v. Pope, for slander, in charging the plaintiff below with having committed the crime of perjury, as a witness in a cause. Pope pleaded not guilty and justification, stating the truth- of the words. Welsh gave evidence tending to show that Pope spoke the slanderous words, and closed. Pope introduced evidence lending to show that the words were true, and then-offered to examine witnesses as to the general character of Welsh, but the court refused to permit him to do so, unless he would first withdraw his plea of justification. This was…