Hillhouse v. Dunning
Supreme Court of Connecticut
This was an action for a libel, brought by Dunning against Hillhouse. The declaration, after averring the former good character of the plaintiff, proceeded as follows: “And before the committing of the grievances, by the defendant, hereinafter stated, a certain suit or petition had been depending before the honourable superior court, holden in and for Fairfield county, wherein one Daniel Beers was the petitioner, and one John L. Broome, respondent, and which had been then…
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This was an action for a libel, brought by Dunning against Hillhouse. The declaration, after averring the former good character of the plaintiff, proceeded as follows: “And before the committing of the grievances, by the defendant, hereinafter stated, a certain suit or petition had been depending before the honourable superior court, holden in and for Fairfield county, wherein one Daniel Beers was the petitioner, and one John L. Broome, respondent, and which had been then lately tried before said court; and on such trial, the plaintiff had been and was examined on oath, and had given evidence…
1Opinion of the CourtPeters, J.
A libel is a malicious defamation, expressed in print or writing, or by signs or pictures, tending to blacken the memory of the dead, with an intent to provoke the living, or to injure the reputation of one who is alive, and thereby expose him to public hatred, contempt or ridicule. A vein of irony runs throughout this publication ; but understanding it, as the rest of mankind do, (Rex. v Horne, Cowp. 688.) the whole turn of expression insinuates, that the plaintiff has been guilty of perjury, and renders him ridiculous and contemptible.
The declaration contains ten specifications of libellous…
2Cited by5 opinions
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