Case Name: Martha Matthews v. Joseph West
Court: Constitutional Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1820-05
Citations: 2 Nott & McC. 415
Docket Number: 
Parties: Martha Matthews v. Joseph West.
Judges: Colcock, Nott, Johnson and Richardson, JJ., concurred.
Reporter: South Carolina Law Reports
Volume: 11
Pages: 622–623

Head Matter:
Martha Matthews v. Joseph West.
The Court will not he disposed to interfere with the finding of a jury, and grant a new trial on the ground of high damages, where a wanton and aggravated trespass has been committed on the property of a plaintiff.
A new trial will not he granted on the ground, that a party was deprived of certain title papers by high waters.
This was an action to recover damages for a trespass, committed with, force, in taking and carrying away a load of peaches from off the land of plaintiff, of which she was in peaceable undisturbed possession, and from the judge’s report, (Mr. Justice Nora, who tried the case,) had been so for the space of thirty years.
Yerdict for plaintiff, with $20(Tdamages. •
*416] *The defendant moved for a new trial, on the grounds:
1. Because the damages were excessive.
2. Because he was deprived of certain title papers, on account of high water.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Gantt, J.
In answer to the first ground, it is to be remarked, that the presiding judge reports the trespass to have been wanton and aggravated, by the circumstance of its having been committed in despite of the feelings of the plaintiff, immediately under her nose, and in opposition to her authority. In a complicated injury of this kind, the rule adopted by the jury, in estimating the damages, is not only correct and legal, but re dounds much to their credit, as it evinces a feeling on the part of the jury friendly to the good order and well-being of society, and hostile to acts of violence and force, which are the bane of it. On this ground, therefore, the Court entertain the opinion that the damages given are by no means to be considered as excessive.
Caldwell, for the motion. Stark, contra.
The second ground taken for a new trial, viz., that on account of high water, the defendant was deprived of certain title papers, is a circumstance which cannot countervail the force and effect of a verdict, which appears to have been very justly rendered.
The motion for a new trial must fail generally.
Colcock, Nott, Johnson and Richardson, JJ., concurred.
Post. 450.