If two persons combine in sending a libel to the plaintiff, each is guilty of a publication to the other. Spaits v. Poundstone, 87 Ind. 522, 524, 525.
In Virginia, by statute, an action lies for insulting words written or spoken, although not read or heard by a third person. Rolland v. Batchelder, 84 Va. 664; Strode v. Clement, 90 Va. 553.
[415]. Part of the case, not relating to publication, is omitted.
[416]. Wenman v. Ash, 13 C. B. 836; Jones v. Williams, 1 T. L. Rep. 572; Sesler v. Montgomery, 78 Cal. 486, 489 (semble); Luick v. Driscoll, 13 Ind. App. 279; Wilcox v. Moon, 63 Vt. 481; Wilcox v. Moon, 64 Vt. 450 Accord.
But a communication by the libeller to his own wife is said not to be a publication. Wennhak v. Morgan, 20 Q. B. D. 635; Sesler v. Montgomery, 78 Cal. 486; Trumbull v. Gibbons, 3 City H. Rec. 97. But see State v. Shoemaker, 101 N. C. 690. See also Central R. Co. v. Jones, 18 Ga. App. 414 (dictation by officer of corporation to co-employee); Kirschenbaum v. Kaufman (N. Y. City Ct.), 50 N. Y. Law Journ. 406 (defamatory matter uttered to business partner in course of business). It would be more accurate to say that the communication in such cases is privileged. In Powell v. Gelston, [1916] 2 K. B. 615, a libellous letter, privileged as a communication to A, was sent to B, who asked for the information in his own name at A’s request. The letter was opened and read by A only.
[417]. M’Coombs v. Tuttle, 5 Blackf. 431; Van Cleef v. Lawrence, 2 City H. Rec. 41 Accord.
[418]. Wyatt v. Gore, Holt, 299; Wenman v. Ash, 13 C. B. 836; Kiene v. Ruff, 1 Ia. 482; Allen v. Wortham, 89 Ky. 485; Rumney v. Worthley, 186 Mass. 144; Schenck v. Schenck, Spencer, 208; State v. McIntire, 115 N. C. 769; Wilcox v. Moon, 64 Vt. 540; Adams v. Lawson, 17 Gratt. 250 Accord.
See Fox v. Broderick, 14 Ir. C. L. R. 453; Callan v. Gaylord, 3 Watts, 321.
Slanderous statements to plaintiff in presence of his counsel, Massee v. Williams, 207 Fed. 222.
Sending libellous letter to plaintiff’s attorney, Brown v. Elm City Lumber Co., 167 N. C. 9.