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Story
April 19, 1817
The Telescope
Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
In New York Mayor's Court, Cynthia Van Cleek sued William G. Laurence for defaming her chastity. Jury awarded $5,000 damages, reduced to match declaration, praising the verdict against the schoolmaster's slander.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
NEW YORK, April 14.
Law Intelligence.
At the last Mayor's Court came on the case of Cynthia Van Cleek vs. William G. Laurence, for defamation of the plaintiff's character, in point of chastity. The evidence for the plaintiff was direct and full to the purpose of proving the defamatory words, and of the malice with which they were spoken. Nothing, whatever, appearing in extenuation of the defendant's guilt in propagating a slander, of the grossest nature, respecting a young woman of irreproachable character, and unsullied by the breath of suspicion, the jury, notwithstanding the narrowness of his circumstances, (being a school-master in Brooklyn, with a wife and family dependant upon him) gave a verdict of five thousand dollars, damages; which however being soon more than what was laid in the declaration, was reduced accordingly. Too much praise cannot be given to the jury for thus marking, in this exemplary manner, this cruel, inhuman and atrocious slander.
Law Intelligence.
At the last Mayor's Court came on the case of Cynthia Van Cleek vs. William G. Laurence, for defamation of the plaintiff's character, in point of chastity. The evidence for the plaintiff was direct and full to the purpose of proving the defamatory words, and of the malice with which they were spoken. Nothing, whatever, appearing in extenuation of the defendant's guilt in propagating a slander, of the grossest nature, respecting a young woman of irreproachable character, and unsullied by the breath of suspicion, the jury, notwithstanding the narrowness of his circumstances, (being a school-master in Brooklyn, with a wife and family dependant upon him) gave a verdict of five thousand dollars, damages; which however being soon more than what was laid in the declaration, was reduced accordingly. Too much praise cannot be given to the jury for thus marking, in this exemplary manner, this cruel, inhuman and atrocious slander.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Defamation
Slander
Court Case
Damages
Mayors Court
What entities or persons were involved?
Cynthia Van Cleek
William G. Laurence
Where did it happen?
New York; Brooklyn
Story Details
Key Persons
Cynthia Van Cleek
William G. Laurence
Location
New York; Brooklyn
Event Date
April 14
Story Details
Cynthia Van Cleek sued William G. Laurence for defaming her chastity with malicious slander. Evidence proved the words and malice. Jury awarded $5,000 damages despite defendant's poverty, reduced to match declaration, exemplifying punishment for the atrocious act against an irreproachable young woman.