Dickinson v. Hathaway

Citations

• 122 La. 644
• 48 So. 136
• 1909 La. LEXIS 598

Syllabus

<p>1. Libel and Slander (§ 15*) — -Words Actionable.</p> <p>To condemn a person as a libeler, it must appear that the letter written by him was defamatory, and communicated in order to bring him into contempt, ridicule, or hatred.</p> <p>LEd. Note. — For other cases, see Libel and Slander, Cent. Dig. § 1; Dec. Dig. § 15.*]</p> <p>2. Libel and Slander (§ 25*) — Publication —Libel.</p> <p>The letter written by the person charged with libel, addressed directly to the attorneys of the complainant, is not a libel in the sense of the law of libel. There was no publication.</p> <p>(Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Libel and Slander, Cent. Dig. §§ 107, 108; Dec. Dig. § 25.*]</p> <p>3. Libel and Slander (§ 87*) — Actions—Petition — Sufficiency.</p> <p>Plaintiff failed to allege that the letter was untrue to the knowledge of the writer. Besides, it was intended for the attorneys of plaintiff, and no other persons.</p> <p>(Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Libel and Slander, Cent. Dig. § 211; Dec. Dig. § 87.*]</p> <p>4. Libel and Slander (§ 83*) — Actions—Pe-TITIO N — SUFFICIEN CY.</p> <p>The malice charged does not necessarily give rise to the implication of untruth.</p> <p>[Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Libel and Slander, Dec. Dig. § 83.*]</p> <p>5. Privileged Communication.</p> <p>The whole letter related to the business in hand.</p> <p>■6. Dibel and Slander (§ 45*) — Privileged Communications — Letter to Attorney.</p> <p>A private letter between a person who answers the attorneys of another relating to a special matter in which each is concerned is not ground for action.</p> <p>[Ed. Note. — For other cases; see Libel and •Slander, Cent. Dig. § 1S8; Dee. Dig. § 45.*]</p> <p>(Syllabus by the Court.)</p>