...chattels thereupon, it shall and may be lawful to and for the defendant or defendants in such actions to plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence : any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding ; and in case the plain tiff or plain tiffs in such...

...Chattels thereupon, it shall and may be lawful to and for the Defendant or Defendants in such actions to plead the General Issue, and give the special matter in evidence, any Law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding; and in case the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs in...

...or any person acting under his command, shall be prosecuted for any act done by him as such, he may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence ; and in case the plaintiff shall be non-prossed, or non-suited, or have a verdict or judgment against him,...

...him done in pursuance of this act, such person may plead the '^аапсе'оУли çeneral is^ie, and give the special matter in evidence; and if a verdict shall Jet?""" pass for the defendant, or the plaintiff shall become nonsuited, such defendant shall have...

...assistance, or by their command, for any thing done by virtue or reason of their office, such parties may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence; and further, that any act brought ag.linst them shall be laid in the proper county; and if upon the general...

...committed, and not elsewhere; and it shall be lawful to and for all and every person and persons aforesaid, to plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence. A eonstable who imprisons a person on suspicion of felony, without any reasonable grounds, of his own...

...tried in the county where the facts were committed, and not in. any other county, and the defendant may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence ; and if the plaintiff1 shall become nonsuited, or discontinue, or if, upon a verdict or demurrer, judgment...

...commissioners must be commenced within three months after the fact committed ; and the commissioners may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence ; and are entitled to double costs on nonsuit, or verdict for defendant, or discontinuance after appearance,...

...by the command of any such person so appointed or elected under the said acts, he shall be permitted to plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence; and if any final judgment shall be rendered therein, whereby any such defendant shall be entitled to dosts,...

...general issue answers the purpose of a special plea. Public officers are often authorized by statute to plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence under it at the trial, and this clause is often extended in statutes to the protection of all persons...