The Volokh Conspiracy

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"Actions of Slander, Founded on Trifling Causes, to Gratify a Petulant and Quarrelsome Disposition"

|The Volokh Conspiracy |


From Judge Edward Shippen in Rue v. Mitchell (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. County 1790):

Generally speaking, indeed, actions of slander, founded on trifling causes, to gratify a petulant and quarrelsome disposition, will not be encouraged by the court; but when the reputation, trade, or profession, of a citizen it really affected, for the sake of doing justice to the dearest interests of individuals, as well as for the sake of preserving public order, and tranquillity, every appeal to the tribunals of our country ought to be liberally sustained.