Case Name: Jane Doyne v. Job Barker
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1834-11
Citations: 4 Cranch 475
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jane Doyne v. Job Barker.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 4
Pages: 475–475

Head Matter:
Jane Doyne v. Job Barker.
Bail, in slander, -will be required, upon the plaintiff’s affidavit that the words were maliciously uttered; that the defendant is a transitory person, and about to leave the District, and that the plaintiff verily believes that she has suffered damages to a certain amount.
Mr. W. L. Brent, for the defendant,
offered to appear without special bail. 2 Johns. 100, 203 ; Brown’s Pa. Rep. 233; Mason v. Gould, 2 Cain. 47.
The plaintiff’s affidavit stated that the defendant maliciously uttered the words in the declaration mentioned ; that the defendant is a transitory person, and is about to leave the district; and that she verily believes she has suffered damages to the amount of $3,000, and that she will recover judgment for that amount.
The words charge her with being a swindler and a cheat, and cheating others. The plaintiff is a milliner.
Mr. Brent contended that the plaintiff must swear positively as to her damages.
Mr. Z. C. Lee, contra.
A plaintiff, in slander, cannot swear positively as to damages. Highmore on Bail, 12, 15, 24 ; Starkie on Slander, 243.

Opinion:
The Court
(nem. con.) required bail to the amount of $700.