{"newspaper_name": "American watchman and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
Thee case ofthe state 0! Rhode Island against vii.
lam Spear, Editor Of the Beacon for an alledeed
hbel' IN Poe,ica efu.ion. upon tie character OF
young lady since married to Mr.. Edward Dexter,
vas tried upon indictment a; Providence on Tues
Day las'. Inc statute OF Rhode Island allows the
defendant 10 give the truth 10 justification on an
Indictment, and constitutes the ju,y sole Judges OF
The law and the fact This wa. the 6rst indictmep,
on record tried in tina; state. The defendant did
not pre'end 10 give iru,h in evidence in the case
out denied that the publication was libel and con.
'enas6 hat 4 libel, ]; was an cnia;eniional one. as
he had not ever known OF the existence OF The per.
son aiedsed TO have been slandersd Mr.. Hhippls
the counsel OF the defendant also maintained. IN N
able srgumeG', that the common law of libel was
no; in force Ia Rhode Island ,ha, i, was inconss.
;=n; with tie federal Constitution, and inapplica5ls
70 the institutions, situa,ion and circumstances d
Ihe ate. The jury returned verde, OF Eot -ailty
The decision is considered important going 10 se,ti,
The principle that an ndicsmrn, for libel canno, 5.
sustained 10 Raode Island, but ,ha, persons seer.,
ed mas, seek their remedy BY civil suit.


Frark. Ga=. Oc. g.
LeSa! Dfc.>.oa.-The hishes, judicial tribunal n
Missouri has decided tina, the United States Gov
ernmen; has no right ,o lease The Lead Mines il
tha, Si4'e.