Case Name: THOMAS ELLIGOOD v. JAMES ONEAL
Court: Delaware Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Delaware
Decision Date: 1800-11-27
Citations: 2 Del. Cas. 139
Docket Number: 
Parties: THOMAS ELLIGOOD v. JAMES ONEAL.
Judges: 
Reporter: Delaware Cases
Volume: 2
Pages: 139–140

Head Matter:
THOMAS ELLIGOOD v. JAMES ONEAL.
Court of Common Pleas. Sussex.
November 27, 1800.
Rodney’s Notes.
Bayard, Bidgely, Vining [for plaintiff]. Wilson, D. Hall [for defendant].
Wilson.
Calling a man a rogue not actionable; the words laid in declaration not actionable.
Bayard.
1 Del.Laws 346, I conceive the words, “you are a rogue,” actionable by our laws and may be taken up and put in the workhouse as vagabonds etc. in 4 Bl.Comm. 169.
This case is also reported in Wilson’s Red Book, 318.

Opinion:
'Per Curiam.
The words "you are a harborer of thieves" is actionable. As to the words "you are a rogue," the law here is the same as in England, and only actionable as to whom and the manner in which it is applied.
Verdict for plaintiff, fifty cents damages.