Case Name: Hall v. Merriman
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1790-07
Citations: 1 Root 197
Docket Number: 
Parties: Hall v. Merriman.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 197–198

Head Matter:
NEW HAVEN COUNTY,
JULY TERM, A. D. 1790.
Hall v. Merriman.
The court will not adjudge a writing not to be libelous, which arbitrators have found to be such; if the case is in tlie least doubtful.
Actios on note. Plea in bar • — ■ That said note was given to obligo the defendant to abide the award of arbitrators, upon, the following writing, (the writing is here recited in the plea) which writing was posted up in a public place; that said arbitrators found the defendant guilty and awarded him to pay £10; and that said arbitrators were mistaken in point of law; for that said writing doth.- not ainoiint to a libel, nor are said words actionable. ■>
The plaintiff replied the submission and award, and performance on his part and a breach on the part of the defendant. Demurrer.
Judgment — That the reply is sufficient.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The writing is libelous and tends to bring disgrace upon the plaintiff; but was it even doubtful, after a hearing by arbitrators, judges of the parties' own choosing, who have judged it to be so, this court would not set aside their award.