323 résultats
1822551151822. Notable Libel Trial With a Defence by Lord Brougham Trial. Williams John Ambrose 1793-1854 Defendant. The Trial of John Ambrose Williams For a Libel on the Clergy Contained in the Durham Chronicle of August 18 1821. Before Mr. Baron Wood and a Special Jury. Tried at the Summer Assizes At Durham On Tuesday August 6th 1822. To Which is Prefixed A Report of the Preliminary Proceedings in the Court of King's Bench London. Durham: Printed by J.A. Williams 1822. iv 57 pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent cloth gilt title to spine. Light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf light browning. Early owner signature to head of title page interior otherwise clean. $250. First edition. "When Queen Caroline died in 1821 the clergy of Durham refused to allow the bells to be tolled. Mr. John Ambrose Williams who owned the Durham Chronicle published an article in it attacking the conduct of the clergy who set the law in motion against Mr. Williams in the shape of a criminal information for libel. The case came for trial before a special jury at Durham. Mr. Scarlett afterwards Lord Abinger a most consummate advocate conducted the prosecution and Brougham the defense. Brougham made a magnificent speech but it was rather a political manifesto than a wise appeal to a jury at Durham who were not likely to be pleased with torrents of irony addressed to such topics as the revenues and management of their palatinate. The result was that his client was found guilty." Archer. This pamphlet was also issued the same year in London and Edinburgh. OCLC locates 2 copies of the Durham issue at Cambridge and Glasgow Universities. Archer William Ewart Gladstone and his Contemporaries 40. McCoy Freedom of the Press W297. unknown books
1817684541817. London 1817. London 1817. Detailed Trial of a Leader of an 1816 Plot to Overthrow of British Government Trial. Watson James 1766-1838 Defendant. Gurney William Brodie 1777-1855 Reporter. The Trial of James Watson For High Treason At the Bar of the Court of King's Bench On Monday the 9th Tuesday the 10th Wednesday the 11th Thursday the 12th Friday the 13th Saturday the 14th and Monday the 16th of June 1817. With the Antecedent Proceedings. London: Sold by Butterworth and Son 1817. Two volumes. 586; 578 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-3/4". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spines. Light soiling and a few minor stains light fading to spines and edges of boards some chipping to lettering pieces. Moderate toning light foxing in places front hinge of Volume II cracked several signatures in that volume loose faint library stamps to title pages brief library annotations to versos. $450. Only edition. Watson was tried for his role in the Spa Fields riot. This riot followed a pair of meetings held by revolutionaries at Spa Fields Islington England on November 15 and December 2 1816. Opponents of the government they resolved to encourage rioting and then seize control of the government by capturing the Tower of London and the Bank of England. Watson Arthur Thistlewood and three other leaders were arrested and charged with high treason as a result. Watson was acquitted and the other three were released without trial. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School II:1220. unknown books
1827684591827. London 1827. London 1827. Contemporary Account of a Famous English Case of Forced Marriage Trial. Wakefield Edward Gibbon Defendant. Wakefield William Defendant. Wakefield Frances Mrs. Defendant. The Trial of Edward Gibbon Wakefield William Wakefield And Frances Wakefield: Indicted with One Edward Thevenot A Servant For a Conspiracy and For the Abduction of Miss Ellen Turner The Only Child and Heiress of William Turner Esq. of Shrigley Park in the County of Chester. London: John Murray 1827. xv 303 pp. Interleaved with de-acidifying paper. Octavo 7-1/2" x 4-1/4". Recent library buckram white-stamped title shelf number and library name to spine. Text notably fresh some browning to final leaf and title page which has library marks and stamps. $300. Only edition. The first account of the Shrigley Abduction an 1826 British case of forced marriage by Edward Gibbon Wakefield to the 15-year-old heiress Ellen Turner. The couple was married in Scotland and travelled to France before Turner's father was able to notify the authorities and intervene. The marriage was annulled by Parliament. Wakefield and his brother William were convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1217. unknown books
1866471591866. variant of McDade 493. variant of McDade 493. An "Unparalleled" Record of Love Bigamy and Murder: A Variant noted in McDade 493 Trial. Hughes Dr. John W. Defendant. The Trial of Dr. John W. Hughes For the Murder of Miss Tamzen Parsons; With a Sketch of His Life As Related by Himself. A Record of Love Bigamy and Murder Unparalleled in the Annals of Crime. Cleveland: Printed by the Leader Company 1866. 58 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet with printed back wrapper. Some wear to edges occasional foxing and faint dampstaining. Small typed label stating--incorrectly--"McDade 493" to head of title page internally clean. $500. "Jealous and intoxicated Hughes on the streets of Bedford Ohio shot the seventeen year old girl he had seduced. At his execution he spoke for fifteen minutes until the sheriff reminded him 'Time is going.' Then he dropped" McDade. McDade notes the existence of this 58 page printing "which adds a farewell letter." See McDade The Annals of Murder 493. unknown books
1803708901803. New York: Printed by George F. Hopkins 1803. New York: Printed by George F. Hopkins 1803. Lord Admiral Nelson Testified as a Character Witness Trial. Despard Edward Marcus 1751-1803 Primary Defendant. The Trial of Colonel Despard and His Associates For High Treason And a Conspiracy &c. &c. Before Lord Chief Justice Ellenborough and the Other Commissioners At the New Sessions-House In the County of Surry sic Great Britain 1803. Published from the London Morning Chronicle. New York: Printed by George F. Hopkins at Washington's-Head no. 118 Pearl-Street 1803. 56 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers untrimmed edges. Light browning title page detached lightly soiled and moderately edgeworn with loss to corners early owner signature to head moderate edgewear and light soiling to final leaf light foxing to a few leaves. $250. Only American edition. After a brilliant military career in the West Indies where his achievements impressed Lieutenant later Lord Admiral Nelson Colonel Despard was recalled from his command and dismissed on frivolous charges. He tried to clear his name and seek compensation but his complaints led to imprisonment without trial for two years. Financially ruined and bitter he came to resent the establishment. He joined the radical London Corresponding Society and revolutionary United Irishman and took part in a plot to organize uprisings in London and Ireland the latter with support from French revolutionaries. After the plot was foiled Despard and six others were convicted of treason. A highlight during the trial was Lord Admiral Nelson's testimony as a character witness on Despard's behalf. Despard and his co-conspirators share the dubious distinction of being the last men in Great Britain sentenced to be hanged drawn and quartered. However the king commuted their sentences to death by hanging followed by decapitation. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 14127. unknown books
1814684711814. London 1814. London 1814. The Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814 Trial. Random Charles Baron de Berenger Principal Defendant. Dundonald Thomas Cochrane Earl of 1775-1860 Principal Defendant. Gurney William Brodie 1777-1855 Reporter. The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger Sir Thomas Cochrane Commonly called Lord Cochrane The Hon. Andrew Cochrane Johnstone Richard Gathorne Butt Ralph Sandom Alexander M'Rae John Peter Holloway And Henry Lyte; For a Conspiracy In the Court of King's Bench Guildhall On Wednesday the 8th And Thursday the 9th of June 1814: With the Subsequent Proceedings in the Court of King's Bench; Taken in Short Hand. London: Sold by J. Butterworth and Son 1814. 604 4 pp. Folding table. Includes four-page publisher catalogue. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-3/8". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine. Light shelfwear and some soiling. Light browning and foxing to text early owner signature Joseph Tate and faint library stamp to title page a few library annotations to verso another owner signature "Wm Green. 1843" at head of main text brief early annotations in a few places. $850. Only edition. Gurney's is the most detailed account of one of the greatest English fraud cases of the nineteenth century. In 1814 Berenger a Prussian aristocrat posing as an aide to Britain's ambassador to Russia announced that Napoleon had been killed by Russian Cossacks. This news caused stock prices to rise. After discovering that Berenger's news was a hoax which caused prices to drop investigators discovered that six men had profited substantially from the false information. All were alleged to have been conspirators with Berenger. One of these men was Cochrane a Member of Parliament an admiral and one of the greatest naval heroes of the Napoleonic Wars. The case against him was weak and circumstantial but he was to the surprise of many convicted sentenced to 12 months in prison fined 1000. and ordered to stand in the pillory opposite the Royal Exchange for one hour. In subsequent weeks he was dismissed from the Royal Navy and expelled from Parliament. On the orders of the Prince Regent Cochrane was humiliated by the loss of his appointment Knight of the Order of the Bath. A month later however Cochrane was re-elected unopposed and following a public outcry his sentence to th. unknown books
1846694211846. Boston: Daily Mail Report-Full and Complete 1846. Boston: Daily Mail Report-Full and Complete 1846. Not in McDade Trial. Tirrell Albert J. Defendant. The Trial of Albert J. Tirrell Charged with the Murder of Mrs. Maria A. Bickford. Before the Suprteme Court in Boston. Boston: Daily Mail Report-Full and Complete 1846. 37 pp. Text in parallel columns. Portraits. Illustrations. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial wrappers rear wrapper lacking. Portrait of Tirrell on front wrapper depiction of crime scene to verso; portrait of Bickford on p.37. Light soiling small chip to upper corner of front wrapper moderate toning light foxing to a few leaves. $650. Only edition. "The murder of a harlot seems to lend a special interest to a case which is measurable by the many publications which ensue. . The Tirrell case is one of the triumphs of Rufus Choate who convinced the jury that his client did not cut the throat of Mrs. Bickford or if he did he did it in his sleep. The defense of somnambulism by Choate might well join that other classic of defense put forth by Delphin Michael Delmas who as counsel for Harry K. Thaw pleaded 'dementia Americana'" McDade. Our 37-page account is not among the 8 accounts in McDade which lists a similar account with 32 pages. OCLC locates 11 copies 3 in law libraries Harvard University of Missouri Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder note to 986. unknown books
1873694441873. A Constant Reminder that Innocent Persons Can Be Convicted" Trial. Boorn Stephen Defendant. Boorn Jesse Defendant. Sargeant Leonard 1793-1880 Reporter. The Trial Confessions and Conviction of Jesse and Stephen Boorn for the Murder of Russell Colvin And the Return of the Man Supposed to Have Been Murdered. Manchester VT: Journal Book and Job Office 1873. 48 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers publisher advertisement to rear wrapper. Light soiling to wrappers light foxing to front wrapper light toning to text. A well-preserved copy. $150. As noted by McDade this famous case is a "constant reminder that innocent persons can be convicted. Russell Colvin the alleged victim had married a sister of the Boorns and had several children by her. He was mentally deficient and disappeared in 1812. Local gossip credited the Boorns with having disposed of him presumably because he was a burden on the family. In the spring of 1819 the Boorns were arrested and either from fear or mental weakness they told stories involving each other in the death of Colvin--Stephen's amounting to a confession of murder. They were tried and sentenced to be hanged; the state legislature however commuted Jesse's sentence to life imprisonment. As a last resort a notice was placed in the papers requesting information about Colvin. A farmer in Monmouth County New Jersey believed he recognized a hired man in the vicinity from the description. This man who was mentally deranged was enticed to Manchester arriving.six weeks before the day set for Stephen's execution. It was definitively established that he was the missing Colvin; he had apparently wandered off on his own volition annotation to Entry 111. Though published fifty-four years after the event the pamphlet was prepared by one of the defense counsellors and contains important information on the discovery and return of Colvin." McDade The Annals of Murder 113. unknown books
1833573241833. A Scarce Scottish Defamation Case Trial. Nairne James 1782-1847 Defendant. The Trial Before the Lord President of the Court of Session Lord Mackenzie And a Special Jury Taken in Shorthand Of the Issues in the Action of Damages at the Instance of Lady Ramsay Widow of the Late Colonel Sir Thomas Ramsay of Balmain Baronet Against James Nairne W.S. For Falsehood and Defamation; Containing the Speeches of Counsel and Charge of the Lord President With the Whole Evidence And an Appendix of Letters and Documents. Edinburgh: Published for the pursuer by W. and R. Chambers; London: Orr and Smith 1833. iv 234 80 pp. Quarto 11-1/4" x 9". Original three-quarter cloth over paper-covered boards rebacked retaining original spine and printed paper title label hinges mended untrimmed edges. Some rubbing a few stains to boards early owner signature of John Osbourne Browne Esq. to front. Annotations in contemporary hand to foot of table of contents interior otherwise clean. Ex-library. Shelf number to foot of spine bookplate to front pastedown date-due sheet and label to front free endpaper. A nice copy of a scarce title. $250. Only edition. A highly detailed record of a case involving accusations of marital infidelity by a colleague of Lady Ramsay's late husband. Lady Ramsay prevailed; the jury determined that her "character" was "perfectly pure and unsullied" and awarded her damages of 200 pounds sterling. 234. OCLC locates 10 copies in North American law libraries. Catalogue of the Library of Harvard Law School 1909 II:1171. unknown books
1864694191864. Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons 1864. Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons 1864. Trial Notable for "Dr. Winslow's Analysis of the Convict's Mind" Trial. Townley George Victor b. 1838 Defendant. The Trial and Respite of George Victor Townley for Wilful Murder. With Original Documents and Correspondence Now First Published; Dr. Winslow's Analysis of the Convict's Mind Portraits Autographs and Plan. Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons 1864. iii 6-70 pp. Portraits. Plan. Octavo 7-1/4" x 4-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Negligible light soiling to exterior early owner signature St. John Crookes/ Sunderland/ 1864 to head of front wrapper moderate toning to text slightly heavier in places. $950. Only edition. In 1863 Townley murdered his girlfriend Elizabeth Goodwin after she broke off her engagement to him. An expert witness at Townley's trial was Dr. Forbes Winslow one of the founders of forensic psychiatry and the author of The Plea of Insanity In Criminal Cases 1843. Despite Winslow's testimony Townsend was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was granted a reprieve however after evidence was produced confirming hereditary insanity and a history of delusional behavior. Public outrage over the reprieve led to a second committee investigation which judged him to be sane. Our account includes memorials from the public and the committee's report along with Winslow's account of a visit with Townley in prison. Townley was later transferred to an asylum where he committed suicide. The portraits are of Townley and Goodwin; the plan shows the scene of the crime. OCLC locates 11 copies in North American law libraries. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1210. unknown books
1802699631802. London: Printed and Sold by E. Thomas 1802. London: Printed and Sold by E. Thomas 1802. Will the Church Allow Her to Stay on Land Donated by Her Brother Trial. Butler Cathrine O'Brien 1730-1807 Plaintiff. The Trial and Particulars of the Case Wherein the Lessee of Catharine O'Brien Butler Was Plantiff And the Rev. A. Dunn Secretary to the Roman Catholic Collage of Maynooth Defendant. Tried at the Last Trim Assizes 1802. With a Circumstantial Account of the Testimony Given by the Rev. Father Gahan. Second Edition. London: Printed and Sold by E. Thomas 1802. 20 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Disbound pamphlet all leaves detached moderate edgewear soiling to title page and verso of final leaf "9." in small early hand to head of title page. $350. Second and final edition published the same year as the first. This case concerned the will of Catharine O'Brien Butler's brother John Butler 12th Baron Dunboyne who had left his property to the St. Patrick's College Maynooth. OCLC locates 3 copies 2 in North America Emory Pitts Theological Seminary Newberry Library which are both first editions. COPAC locates 1 copy Ushaw College Durham which has a second edition. unknown books
1830714241830. A Famous Salem Murder: McDade 569 Trial. Knapp John Francis Defendant. The Trial and Conviction of John Francis Knapp for the Murder of Joseph White Esq. of Salem On the Sixth of April 1830. Boston: Published by Charles Ellms 1830. 35 1 pp. Woodcut frontispiece. Woodcut title vignette of murder. Half-title reads: Knapp's Second Trial Conviction And Sentence. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet wrappers lacking. Light soiling to exterior moderate toning to text some chipping short tears and wear to fore-edges of leaves through p. 19 with no loss to text faint spotting in a few places faint dampstaining to a few leaves. A scarce title. $600. Only edition. The murder of Joseph White a wealthy retired sea captain a conspiracy by a relative Joseph Knapp who hired his brother John Francis Knapp and the brothers Richard and George Crowninshield was one of the most famous trials of the 1830s. Joseph Knapp received immunity for turning in the Crowninshields. George Crowninshield had a good alibi that prevented his conviction. Richard Crowninshield escaped justice by hanging himself. John Francis Knapp was tried twice. He was convicted in his second trial and sentenced to death. OCLC locates 9 copies 2 in law libraries Library of Congress Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 569. unknown books
1806AQ35068London: Longman Hurst Rees and Orme 1806. iv xcv 1 1-120 121-230 121-378pp 8. With an engraved portrait frontispiece. Twentieth century green buckram lettered in gilt to spine. Lightly rubbed and marked. browning to title and blank fly-leaves light scattered spotting with chipping to edges of title page. The first edition of this report of the last impeachment trial to be held in the House of Lords. The defendant Henry Dundas 1st Viscount Melville 1742 – 1811 was accused of embezzling government funds during his appointment as treasurer of the admiralty between 1782 and 1800. Despite being acquitted the trial lost Dundas a great degree of public favour partially sullying his legacy as Home Secretary Lord Advocate Secretary of State for War and First Lord of the Admiralty. . First edition. 8vo. Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme hardcover
1820365658Annual Register London 1820. Booklet - Unbound Pages. Very Good Condition. 56 pages printed in double columns throughout. An authentic standalone article extracted from a larger volume. Not a reprint or reproduction but an original work in its own right. Preserved in a modern card cover prepared for practicality - an unassuming but serviceable presentation that favours function over finery. Size: 13 x 20.5 cms. Category: Annual Register; New Arrivals;. Annual Register unknown
1809373530Cobbett's State Trials London 1809. Booklet - Unbound Pages. Very Good Condition. If the fact that I have done cannot be justified by the law of England let me perish. Proving that even Parliament's Chains shall not bind a Freeborn Englishman. Tried under a new Treason Act seemingly tailored for him Lilburne's defiant oratory transformed his prosecution into a spectacle of resistance. Arguing for his freeborn rights he denounced the legitimacy of Cromwell's regime and turned public sentiment in his favour. His acquittal by a London jury was a stunning embarrassment to the Commonwealth ' and a lasting testament to the power of conscience over command. 101 pages printed in double columns. Printed between 1809 and 1826 these historic documents are vivid extracts from Cobbett's State Trials; pages from the courtroom record that preserve the voices arguments and verdicts which helped shape the course of British justice and still echo through its constitutional legacy. Over two centuries old each leaf is a tangible fragment of legal history compelling original and rarely encountered outside institutional collections. These are not reprints or replicas but authentic 19th-century printings that are rich in drama and steeped in history. This particular trial report has been removed from a volume of Cobbett's State Trials and is now preserved in a modern card cover for practicality - an unassuming but serviceable presentation that favours function over finery. Size: 15 x 25 cms. Category: State Trials; State Trials::Octavo; This item may require more postage than the rates shown for delivery outside the UK. If extra postage is required we will contact you before processing your order and you will be given the details and option to decline the extra cost. Cobbett's State Trials unknown
1822TRIALSTU005649Archibald Constable Edinburgh and Hurst Robinson and Co. and James Ridgeway London. 1822. Second edition. pp iv 186 ii 20 Appendix. Recent plain quarter calf with marbled boards title label on front board. A murder trial which excited much public interest at the time. The son of James Boswell had been killed in a duel.Fine. Archibald Constable, Edinburgh, [and] Hurst, Robinson, and Co. and James Ridgeway, London. hardcover
1813566161813. Scarce English Embezzlement Trial Trial. Hewlitt John Churcher Defendant. The Trial of John Churcher Hewlitt Acting Deputy Prothonotary of the Place-Court At the Old Bailey On Wednesday April 14 1813 on Charges Preferred by William Cruchley Of John-Street Bedford-Row Attorney-at-Law For Alleged Embezzlements of Moneys Arising from Fees of Office; On Seven Indictments Upon All of Which he was Most Honourably Acquitted. Taken in Short-Hand. London: Printed by Marchant and Galabin 1813. ii 16 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning several leaves unopened internally clean. $450. Only edition. Hewlett was accused of embezzlement by his employer Cruchley. This appears to be a vindication of Hewlitt's honor and innocence. It may have been published at his expense or urging. OCLC locates 4 copies in North America 2 in law libraries Harvard and Social Law. unknown
1866471591866. variant of McDade 493. variant of McDade 493. Rare Account of an "Unparalleled" Record of Love Bigamy and Murder: A Variant Noted in McDade 493 Trial. Hughes Dr. John W. 1833-1866 Defendant. The Trial of Dr. John W. Hughes For the Murder of Miss Tamzen Parsons; With a Sketch of His Life As Related by Himself. A Record of Love Bigamy and Murder Unparalleled in the Annals of Crime. Cleveland: Printed by the Leader Company 1866. 58 pp. Text mostly in double columns. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet with printed back wrapper. Some wear to edges occasional foxing and faint dampstaining. Small typed label stating "McDade 493" to head of title page internally clean. $250. Only edition one of two issues. "Jealous and intoxicated Hughes on the streets of Bedford Ohio shot the seventeen year old girl he had seduced. At his execution he spoke for fifteen minutes until the sheriff reminded him 'Time is going.' Then he dropped" McDade. McDade notes the existence of this 58-page printing "which adds a farewell letter." OCLC locates 1 copy of our issue New York Public Library. McDade The Annals of Murder 493. unknown
1874144831London: Ward Lock and Tyler 1874. First Edition. Paperback. Very Good. London Ward Lock and Tyler 1874. Octavo xvi 302 2 publisher's advertisements pages albeit the half-title is pasted to the front free endpaper. Early green cloth lettered in gilt on the spine and ruled and decorated in blind on the sides; cloth slightly rubbed and bumped at the extremities and a little sunned on the spine; ink ownership stamp to two early pages; some scattered foxing generally light; a few creases marks and short tears to a few margins; overall a very good copy bound without the original wrappers. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn's twenty-day summing-up in the sensational perjury trial of the claimant to the Tichborne baronetcy Arthur Orton a butcher from Wagga Wagga also known as Thomas Castro. The last few pages record the jury's speedy verdict of guilty. The 'History' of the case is taken from the 'Daily News' 2 March 1874. <p>Provenance: F. Frank Hobill Cole 1863-1934 Melbourne paediatrician and collector with his name-plate on the front pastedown. Ward, Lock, and Tyler paperback
1874TH155London: Ward Lock & Tyler 1874. 1st Edition . Soft cover. Vg. large 8vo. 302pp ii pub. ads UNCUT TOP EDGE. Near fine with the bold paper wrappers of the Verbatim Report. A rare original copy of the famous Tichborne Trials summing up by The Lord Chief Justice of England together with the Addresses of the Judges The Verdict and the Sentence; The Whole Accompanied by A History of the Case and Coious Alphabetical Index. Arthur Orton 1834-1898 called himself Sir Roger Charles Doughty-Tichborne to claim an estate after the real Sir Roger disappeared. A notorious Victorian trail that enthralled the nation. <br/> <br/> Ward, Lock & Tyler paperback
1804704961804. A Landmark Case in the History of the First Amendment Trial. Hamilton Alexander 1757-1804 et Al. Crosswell Harry 1778-1858 Defendant. The Speeches at Full Length of Mr Van Ness Mr. Caines the Attorney-General Mr. Harrison And General Hamilton In the Great Cause of the People Against Harry Croswell On an Indictment for a Libel on Thomas Jefferson President of the United States. New York: Printed by G. & R. Waite 1804. 78 pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning occasional light foxing negligible light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. $1250. Only edition. People of the State of New York v. Harry Croswell also known as People v. Croswell is a landmark case in the history of the First Amendment. It was a prosecution for criminal libel under the Sedition Act in the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Columbia County New York. Croswell was indicted for an article published in The Wasp a Federalist newspaper he edited that accused Jefferson of hiring James Callender to write articles attributing various crimes to Washington and Adams. Crosswell was defended by a distinguished team of lawyers among them Alexander Hamilton. In one of his greatest and most influential speeches and one of the last he gave in his lifetime Hamilton argued that freedom of the press consists in publishing the truth from good motives and for justifiable ends however it may reflect on its subjects. More important he argued for a rejection of libel based on English rules which remained a part of New York law especially the rule that truthfulness is not a reason for acquittal. Croswell was convicted but he was not sentenced or retried. And the cause of his case was mooted the following year when the New York State Legislature abandoned English libel law in favor of one based on Hamilton's argument. It became the law of the land when the other states and the Federal government followed New York's example. Ford Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 90. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13322. unknown books
1819674151819. Concord NH: 1819. Concord NH: 1819. Fletcher Webster's Copy of an Account of One of His Father's Famous Cases Trial. Jackman Joseph. Goodridge Elijah Putnam 1787-1851 Defendant. The Sham-Robbery Committed by Elijah Putnam Goodridge on His Own Person In Newbury Near Essex Bridge Dec. 19 1816: With a History of His Journey to the Place Where he Robbed Himself: and His Trial with Mr. Ebenezer Pearson Whom he Maliciously Arrested for Robbery: Also the Trial of Levi & Laban Kenniston. Concord NH: Printed for the Author 1819. 151 1 pp. 12mo 6-3/4" x 4-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in plain wrappers untrimmed edges. Light soiling and a few minor stains wrappers worn but secure. Light browning to text light foxing in a few places faint dampstaining to a few leaves "Daniel Webster Jr" in pencil to front endleaf and recto of rear wrapper "Polly Webster" to rear free endpaper. $350. Only edition. Full account of the several trials connected with this famous Massachusetts case by one of the accused. Daniel Webster served as one of the defense attorneys shortly after his return to private practice following his two terms in Congress. The respected and well-connected Major Goodridge's accusation of robbery against the witless low-life Kenniston brothers was supported by popular sentiment until Webster began his defence which meticulously unraveled the Major's story and succeeded in gaining the Kenniston's acquittal. The trial was an early landmark in Webster's legal career and his final address to the jury first printed here is considered a classic of Webster's oratory. It was later anthologized. Daniel Fletcher Webster 1818-1862 known as Fletcher Webster was Daniel Webster's eldest son. Chief Clerk of the U.S. State Department when his father was Secretary of State he commanded the 12th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. He was killed at the Second Battle of Bull Run. We are unsure of the identity of Polly Webster. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 14017. unknown books
1822556511822. A Notable Freethinker and Publisher Of Thomas Paine Reports One of His Blasphemy Trials Trial. Carlile Richard 1790-1843 Defendant and Reporter. The Report of the Proceedings of the Court of King's Bench In the Guildhall London On the 12th 13th 14th And 15th Days of October: Being the Mock Trials of Richard Carlile For Alledged sic Blasphemous Libels In Publishing Thomas Paine's Theological Works and Elihu Palmer's Principles of Nature; Before Lord Chief Justice Abbott And Special Juries. London: Printed and Published by R. Carlile 1822. xx 203 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet without wrappers bound into recent marbled boards with paper title label. Toning light soiling to title page creases to corners of a few leaves. An appealing copy. $750. Only edition. Carlile was one of the most prolific freethinking journalist-publisher-political activists of his day. As one would suspect he was often at odds with the government. In 1819 he was fined 1500 pounds and imprisoned for three years for six counts of "blasphemous libel." He published this account of the first day of his 1819 trial after his release. It deals with the information against him for publishing Thomas Paine's Age of Reason and Examination of the Passages in the New Testament Quoted from the Old and Called prophecies concerning Jesus Christ which Carlile issued as The Age of Reason Part the Third. Portions of these were read in court by Carlile with commentary. Carlile reissued this pamphlet in 1826. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School II:1035. unknown books
1822556511822. A Notable Freethinker and Publisher Of Thomas Paine Reports One of His Blasphemy Trials Trial. Carlile Richard 1790-1843 Defendant and Reporter. The Report of the Proceedings of the Court of King's Bench In the Guildhall London On the 12th 13th 14th And 15th Days of October: Being the Mock Trials of Richard Carlile For Alledged sic Blasphemous Libels In Publishing Thomas Paine's Theological Works and Elihu Palmer's Principles of Nature; Before Lord Chief Justice Abbott And Special Juries. London: Printed and Published by R. Carlile 1822. xx 203 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet without wrappers bound into recent marbled boards with paper title label. Toning light soiling to title page creases to corners of a few leaves. An appealing copy. $750. Only edition. Carlile was one of the most prolific freethinking journalist-publisher-political activists of his day. As one would suspect he was often at odds with the government. In 1819 he was fined 1500 pounds and imprisoned for three years for six counts of "blasphemous libel." He published this account of the first day of his 1819 trial after his release. It deals with the information against him for publishing Thomas Paine's Age of Reason and Examination of the Passages in the New Testament Quoted from the Old and Called prophecies concerning Jesus Christ which Carlile issued as The Age of Reason Part the Third. Portions of these were read in court by Carlile with commentary. Carlile reissued this pamphlet in 1826. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School II:1035. unknown
1856097734London: J. Allen 1856. Book measures 8 x 5 1/2 inches. Collation 326pp. Bound in modern blue cloth. Binding in good clean firm condition. Internally pages clean throughout. A good solid copy. . First Edition. Cloth. Very Good. 8vo. J. Allen Hardcover
