CHAPTER CCCCXLIX.
AN ACT to admit testimony on trial of indictment for libel.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly met, That from and after the passage of this act, on the trial of indictments for writing or publishing a libel, the truth of the matter charged as libelous may be given in evidence; and if the jury, in any such case, shall find that the act was induced by good motives, mind with no malicious intent, and that the matter so charged is true, it shall operate to the acquittal of defendant or defendants.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That in actions for damaged for the writing or publishing a libel, where the truth is pleaded and given in evidence; if it be found that the same was written or published properly for public information, and with no malicious or mischievous motives the jury may find for the defendant on defendants.
Passed at Dover, March 4, 1857