Case Name: The State v. Henry Matthis
Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1833-01
Citations: 1 Hill 37
Docket Number: 
Parties: The State v. Henry Matthis.
Judges: O’Neall, J. concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 19
Pages: 37–37

Head Matter:
The State v. Henry Matthis.
Tried before Mr. Justice Earle, at Spartanburgk— iring Term., 1832.
no individual other" SSrivhon . 'Ñen,da,nt retailing without
The defendant was indicted for retailing spirits without a license. The fact of retailing being proved, the only defence relied on, was, that the defendant was only acting; as the agent of one George W who had authorized him to supply a Gold Mining Company with spirits, for a few days, out of (Weaver’s) wagon, which the defendant did, and counted to Weaver for the sales ; and that Weaver’s name was known and disclosed at the time. The presiding judge charged the-jury, that the defendant was guilty under the Act; and they, accordingly, convicted him. He now moved for a new trial, on the ground of misdirection by the presiding judge.
Irby & Bobo, for the motion.
Pe are son, Sol. contra.

Opinion:
Johnson, J.
The fact of retailing having been conceded by the defendant, the only question is, whether he can justify under an authority from Weaver; and certainly no individual can authorize another to violate a public law. in addition to this, the circumstances abundantly shew, that the defendant must have known that Weaver had no authority to retail. He was a passing stranger, who had no motive to apply for a license. The defendant would have been culpable, therefore, in aiding him in retailing.
Motion dismissed.
O'Neall, J. concurred.
Harper, J. absent.