Charpentier

1808 · 40182 — Washington City Washington D.C.: Westcott & Co 1808. 3 Volumes. 8vo. 9 x 5 1/4 inches. Vol. I: First edition. 147 pp. 135 pp. 1. Vol. II: Second issue of first edition: 465 pp. Vol. III: First edition. 418 50 4. Publisher's original grey paper boards. All volumes uncut; Volume II entirely unopened. Housed within a blue morocco clamshell box with gilt spine.<br/> <br/> "The rarest and best account of the trial" Eberstadt which made US legal history in its interpretations of treason and executive sovereignty. This elusive set almost always found without the third volume is Burr's own report and is crucial to understanding early democracy in America. Of especial relevance today as other high-profile American politicians face their own accusations of treason.<br/> <br/> "The most exciting trial held in this country during the first half of the nineteenth century." Graff Aaron Burr Jr. was an American politician businessman lawyer co-founder of the Bank of New York and Founding Father who served as Vice President during Jefferson's first term and more recently served as the foil in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton. How Burr came to be arrested in Alabama in 1807 is bizarre and byzantine but in brief: Burr was rejected by his own party the Democratic-Republicans for opposing Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election runoff in the House and then was shunned by the Federalists for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Burr went West to seek better fortunes which included a rogue military adventure to seize lands belonging to Spain in Louisiana and Mexico with incentive given to the Western states to join his adventure. However Burr's longtime friend General James Wilkinson decided to abandon this dubious plan and inform the Feds instead. President Jefferson did not look kindly on his former Vice President's conspiracy to entice the Western states to leave the Union and join with him as he colonized new lands with the support of England. Jefferson alerted Congress and ordered Burr's arrest. Firm in his belief that Burr was a traitor Jefferson had him charged as such. Luckily for Burr Chief Justice John Marshall was Jefferson's longtime political foe and would preside at Burr's trial because he was also the federal judge for the US Circuit Court in Virginia. Burr was acquitted and fled for Europe.<br/> <br/> Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 14091 14092. Eberstadt 134-68. Graff 506. Howes B1013. Sabin 9433. Tompkins Burr 18. Westcott & Co unknown