At the Liverpool Assizes, on Thursday, Dr. Nolan, minister of
a congrega- tion of Independents at Manchester, appeared as plaintiff in an action of
slander against one Pettigrew, for stating in the presence of ;,Qtre Feld: that Dr. Nolan had seduced certain female members, and had given ineklieu*,.tok„ 4- one to prevent the consequences. There had been religious strife in Dr. No- of I Ian's congregation ; he had resigned, and been reelected minister; after- wards it had been found that the reelection was not legal in form, and a heated canvassing and contest arose. It was in the course of this agitation that the defendant made the statement complained of. The defendant was a respectable serious man, and had made his statement in good faith, pri.' vately, to Mr. Ford, as a' person holding office in the congregation and having weight in the election. The defence was double,—that the commu- nication was privileged ; and that it was true. Some scandalous facts were sworn to, and sworn against. But the Judge ruled that the communication was privileged; and a verdict for the defendant resulted.
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