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Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
In Alexandria County circuit court, Archibald M'Clean sued William Gowle for libel over a March 1814 Gazette publication accusing election fraud; jury awarded M'Clean $171.75. A related slander suit against Samuel Harper for speaking the words was dismissed.
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At the last term of the circuit court for the county of Alexandria, was tried the suit of Archibald M'Clean against William Gowle, for a libel.
This action was founded on the following publication, which appeared in the Alexandria Gazette of the last of March, 1814:
"COMMUNICATION.
"The commissioners of the several wards, who superintend the election of council, will doubtless give attention and prevent any persons putting two tickets into the ballot box, instead of one—a neighbor of yours has been detected in making such an attempt: and although he is not now entitled to vote, it is very probable that he will endeavor to persuade others to commit similar acts of impropriety. The name and proof is left with the editors."
An attempt was made on the part of the defendant, to show that the matter contained in the publication was not libellous, but the court overruled the objection, and the jury brought in a verdict for the plaintiff; damages $171 75.*
The same gentleman had brought a suit for scandal against Samuel Harper for having publicly spoken the words of the aforesaid libel; but the court determined that the oral declaration without writing or printing did not constitute sufficient ground of action, and accordingly the suit was dismissed.
*The defendant's counsel afterwards filed errors in arrest of Judgment which were argued.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
County Of Alexandria
Event Date
Last Term Of The Circuit Court
Key Persons
Outcome
verdict for the plaintiff; damages $171 75. suit against samuel harper dismissed. defendant's counsel filed errors in arrest of judgment which were argued.
Event Details
Suit of Archibald M'Clean against William Gowle for libel based on a March 1814 Alexandria Gazette publication accusing a neighbor of attempting to put two tickets in the ballot box during an election. Court overruled defense objection that it was not libellous. Jury verdict for plaintiff. Separate suit against Samuel Harper for speaking the words dismissed as oral declaration insufficient ground.