276 résultats
1830réf. 734651830. A Pennsylvania Court Summons from 1830 Manuscript. Trial. Pennsylvania. Summons to Appear as a Witness. Lycoming County PA September 1 1830. 4 pp. 6-3/4" x 8" docketed on verso embossed seal near upper-left corner. Light browning and edgewear a few ink spots vertical and horizontal fold lines a few minor tears along folds. $250. This summons directs Peter Shaddy Charles Huff Sophia Graft and James Danley to appear in the court of quarter sessions in Williamsport to testify in the case of Pennsylvania v. James Kinman and Mrs. Dunlap. unknown books
1752réf. 803961752. The "Love Philter" was Arsenic Trial. Blandy Mary 1720-1752 Defendant. The Tryal of Mary Blandy Spinster; For the Murder of Her Father Francis Blandy Gent. At the Assizes Held at Oxford for the County of Oxford On Saturday the 29th of February 1752 Before the Honourable Heneague Legge Esq; and Sir Sydney Stafford Smythe Knt. Two of the Barons of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer. Published by Permission of the Judges. London: Printed for John and James Rivington At the Bible and Crown In St. Paul's Church Yard 1752. ii 46 pp. Folio 11-3/4" x 7". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning margins trimmed closely with no loss to text. Light soiling to exterior clean tear from a fold near center of lower half of text block early repairs to inner margins of several leaves a few minor tears and chips to edges of title page chips a few tears with minor loss to text to final leaf. $250. Only edition one of three issues the others an octavo issued by Rivington and an octavo issued in Dublin by Faulkner. Blandy was the daughter of a prosperous lawyer. Her father Francis advertised a large dowry of 10000 which attracted many suitors including one who captivated her Captain William Henry Cranstoun the son of a Scottish nobleman. Francis learned later that he was married and a father. Confronted with these facts by Francis Cranstoun claimed his marriage was invalid and made several attempts he claimed to have it annulled. Over time Francis became suspicious about Cranstoun's motives. Sensing danger Cranstoun gave Mary a "love philtre" and told her to mix it into one of her father's meals. He said it would change his behavior towards him. It was actually arsenic. When Mary realized what she had done she foolishly burned Cranstoun's letters and discarded the rest of the arsenic. Cranstoun fled to France. Mary was tried and sentenced to death by hanging. This was a sensational trial and it was covered extensively by the press. It also generated a secondary literature that included several contributions written by Mary such as "Miss Mary Blandy's Own Account of the Affair between Her and Mr. Cranstoun." As indicated by her last request to the execution officials she remained a proper middle-class lady to the end. "For the sake of decency gentlemen" she pleaded "don't hang. unknown books
1816réf. 755661816. The Repudiation of Queen Caroline Trial. Caroline of Brunswick Queen of England 1768-1821 Defendant. The Attempt to Divorce the Princess of Wales Impartially Considered; More Particularly with Reference to the Probability of its Success. London: Printed for J. Ridgway and Sons 1816. 25 1 pp. Lacking final advertisement leaf. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound in early textured cloth printed label to front board edges untrimmed. Light toning and foxing to interior. $250. Third edition one of four from the same year. The repudiation of Queen Caroline by King George IV was one of the most sensational events in English history. Estranged soon after their marriage Caroline was eventually banished to Europe after the birth of their daughter Princess Charlotte Augusta. In 1820 her husband's accession to the throne brought her back to Britain. The King asked his ministers to get rid of her. After she refused a monetary offer to ask for a divorce the Earl of Liverpool introduced The Pains and Penalties Bill to the House of Lords in July 1820 in order to strip Caroline of her title and dissolve her marriage. The bill alleged that Caroline had an affair with a servant Bartolomeo Bergami while in Italy. The bill was approved by the House of Lords but it was not submitted to the House of Commons where it would have been defeated. Despite the King's best attempts Caroline remained a popular favorite. Published in 1816 our anonymous work presciently concludes that "there is every reason to believe that the design of dissolving the existing marriage of the Prince Regent will fail" and that "the expectations of the Princess Charlotte will not be defeated." All editions are scarce; OCLC and Library Hub locate 1 copy of the third edition University of St. Andrews. unknown books
1848réf. 714031848. OCLS 2 copies. No copies found in U.S. law schools. OCLS 2 copies. No copies found in U.S. law schools. McDade 211: An Inept Poisoner Trial. Coolidge Valorous P. 1820-1849 Defendant. Trial of Dr. Valorous P. Coolidge For the Murder of Edward Mathews At Waterville Maine. As Reported For and Published in the Boston Daily Times. N.p.: S.n. 1848. 40 pp. Text in parallel columns. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6"; 24 x 15.2 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers untrimmed edges. Some wear to corners moderate browning heavier browning to leaves at beginning and end of text faint dampstaining in a few places tiny inkspots to a few leaves. $250. Only edition. Coolidge murdered Mathews with a shot of poison-laced brandy because Mathews refused to loan him money. When the body was found Coolidge was summoned by the coroner's jury to perform an autopsy on his own victim. After an inept series of attempts to hide his crime Coolidge was convicted and sentenced to hang. He cheated the gallows however by committing suicide. OCLC locates 7 copies in law libraries Yale Los Angeles County U.S. Supreme Court Library University of Maine Duke Seton Hall York University University of Pennsylvania. McDade The Annals of Murder 211. unknown books
1679réf. 731571679. A Drunken Night Gone Wrong Trial. Cornwallis Charles 3rd Baron 1655-1698 Defendant. An Impartial Account of the Trial of the Lord Conwallis sic. London: s.n. 1679. ii 12 pp. Folio 11-1/4" x 7-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent printed wrappers. Light edgewear and chipping to fore-edge and spine. Light toning to interior occasional light foxing and soiling small tear to bottom-edge of final leaf not affecting text. $250. Only edition. While drunk and disorderly Cornwallis and a friend harassed and threatened a sentry. After failing to ruffle the sentry despite threats ranging from the physical to the sexual their attention turned to some boys passing by. The friend attacked one of them and broke the boy's neck. Cornwallis was tried as an accomplice and acquitted although several jury members voted to convict him of manslaughter. OCLC locates 2 copies of this title in law libraries Harvard Library of Congress. English Short-Title Catalogue R7670. unknown books
1803réf. 784691803. Lord Admiral Nelson Testified as a Character Witness Trial. Despard Edward Marcus 1751-1803 Primary Defendant. Gurney Joseph Reporter. Gurney William Brodie Reporter. The Trial of Edward Marcus Despard Esquire. For High Treason At the Session House Newington Surry sic On Monday the Seventh of February 1803. London: Sold by M. Gurney 1803. 271 1 pp. Final page is a publisher advertisement. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards lettering piece gilt fillets and tiny early shelf label to spine speckled edges. Light rubbing and two small paper fragments from a label to boards moderate rubbing to extremities with wear to spine ends front board beginning to separate but secure rear joint starting at ends corners bumped and somewhat worn early owner bookplate John Smith Esq. to front pastedown rear hinge starting. Moderate toning to interior light foxing to a few leaves. $250. Only edition. After a brilliant military career in the West Indies 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 a 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. 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 the form of execution given to convicted traitors since 1283. However the king commuted their sentences to death by hanging followed by decapitation. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1061. unknown books
1811réf. 684001811. An Important Scottish Divorce Case Trial. Dodson John Reporter. Dalrymple Divorce Cause. A Report of the Judgment Delivered in the Consistorial Court of London On the Sixteenth Day of July 1811 By the Right Honourable Sir William Scott Chancellor of the Diocese In the Cause of Dalrymple the Wife Against Dalrymple the Husband. With an Appendix Containing the Depositions of the Witnesses the Letters of the Parties and Other Papers Exhibited in the Cause. London: Printed for J. Butterworth 1811. vii 96 iv cclxxvi pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Later library cloth lettering piece and small location label to spine. Light soiling light rubbing to extremities hinges cracked front free endpaper partially detached rear free endpaper lacking. Moderate toning to text library stamps and early owner signature to title page brief library annotations to verso. $250. Only edition. An important case in Scottish marriage law. In 1804 John Dalrymple met Johanna Gordon in Edinburgh began a secret relationship with her then left for Malta with the military. Upon returning a few years later he married someone else an act which provoked Ms. Gordon's suit for breach of contract. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1056. unknown books
1824réf. 857701824. The Fatal Consequences of Sports Betting Trial. Thurtell John 1794-1824 & Joseph Hunt d.1825 Defendants. Egan Pierce 1772-1849 Reporter. Pierce Egan's Account of the Trial of John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt. With an Appendix Disclosing Some Extraordinary Facts Exclusively in the Possession of the Editor. With Portraits And Many Other Illustrative Engravings. London: Knight & Lacey Publishers 1824. iv 105 1 pp. With an engraved portrait frontispiece of Thurtell Hunt and William Probert and 6 unnumbered full-page woodcuts as called for. Bound with Egan Pierce. Recollections of John Thurtell Who was Executed at Hertford on Friday The 9th of January 1824.Being an Appendix to His Account of the Trial Which May Now be Had Price 2s. London: Knight & Lacey Publishers 1824. iv 44 pp. With a woodcut frontispiece depicting Thurtell's execution. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5"; 21.4 x 12.7 cm. Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards gilt fillets and lettering piece to spine. Some rubbing to exterior light wear to extremities front joint cracked spine varnished corners bumped rear hinge cracked. Light toning to interior occasional light foxing and soiling unobtrusive faint dampstaining to first three leaves of Account. A good copy. $250. Only editions. John Thurtell an unlucky gambler was deeply in debt to the bookmaker William Weare. Deciding to take revenge Thurtell along with his friends Joseph Hunt and William Probert murdered Weare in a grisly manner and tossed his body into a pond. Thurtell tried to escape conviction. He was hanged. Hunt confessed his involvement and stated that Thurtell was the killer. He was sent to the penal colony in Botany Bay Australia. Charges against Probert were dropped in exchange for his wife's testimony which minimized his role in the crime. Our account of the trial and its aftermath was produced by Pierce Egan a popular journalist and sportswriter. Thurtell himself was an admirer--the chance to read Egan's coverage of a recent prizefight was purportedly among his final wishes. Recollections was issued separately as the appendix which is referenced on the title page of Account. unknown books
1845réf. 847281845. He "Argued Much from the Bible to Induce Me to Submit to His Base Designs" Trial. Fairchild Joy Hamlet 1790-1859 Defendant. A Full and Accurate Report of the Trial of Rev. Joy H. Fairchild Before the Municipal Court of Boston For Adultery with Miss Rhoda Davidson. Caption title: Mr. Fairchild's Trial. Boston: H.B. Skinner 1845. Octavo 10" x 6"; 25 x 15 cm. 24 pp. Text in parallel columns. Stab-stitched pamphlet with untrimmed edges. Moderate toning occasional light foxing. Lower outside corners of last two leaves lacking with minor loss to text on last leaf. $250. A scarce antebellum legal document of the highly publicized Boston municipal trial of the Reverend Joy Hamlet Fairchild a married Orthodox Congregational minister accused of committing adultery with Rhoda Davidson a young domestic servant of Edgecomb Maine living in his household. After Davidson gave birth to a child and named Fairchild as the father the ensuing scandal captivated the New England public exposing deep anxieties surrounding ministerial morality and the sexual exploitation of working-class women. One of several publications about this celebrated notorious case. Fairchild vigorously defended himself against the adultery charge claiming he was the victim of a malicious conspiracy engineered by rival clergymen intent on framing him as a habitual libertine. This Skinner printing captures the full dramatic tension of the courtroom including Davidson's detailed testimony regarding how Fairchild used perverted biblical arguments to overcome her moral objections: "I asked him if God had not declared that every man should have his own wife and none other. He said that was Paul's language and then argued much from the Bible to induce me to submit to his base designs which he succeeded in accomplishing." It closes with the equally vexing verdicts. Despite his conviction in ecclesiastical court the Boston municipal jury found that he was not guilty of adultery. The trial highlights a fascinating divergence in nineteenth-century American jurisprudence. A compelling artifact documenting the intersection of religion law and public obsession with sexual scandal in New England. As in most other copies we located ours is lacking its wrappers which contained the title and publication information. Accounts of this case are sca. unknown books
1821réf. 694431821. Concord NH: Published by Hill and Moore 1821. Concord NH: Published by Hill and Moore 1821. He Beat Her to Death with a Shovel: McDade 300 Trial. Farmer Daniel Davis 1793-1822 Defendant. Rogers Artemas Reporter. Chase Henry B. Reporter. Trial of Daniel Davis Farmer For the Murder of the Widow Anna Ayer At Goffstown On the 4th of April A.D. 1821. Concord NH: Published by Hill and Moore 1821. 72 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling to exterior light rubbing to extremities light browning and occasional light foxing to text. $250. Only edition. "Mrs. Ayer had charged Farmer with fathering her child. He beat her to death with a cudgel sic and tried to burn her house" McDade. The report states that the murder weapon was an iron shovel. Farmer was found guilty and executed. McDade The Annals of Murder 300. unknown books
1821réf. 664751821. Concord NH: Hill and Moore 1821. Concord NH: Hill and Moore 1821. He Beat Her to Death with a Shovel Trial. Farmer Daniel Davis 1793-1822 Defendant. Rogers Artemas Reporter. Chase Henry B. Reporter. Trial of Daniel Davis Farmer For the Murder of the Widow Anna Ayer At Goffstown On the 4th of April A.D. 1821. Concord NH: Published by Hill and Moore 1821. 72 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet fragments of wrapper along spine. Light rubbing to extremities light browning to text light foxing to a few leaves. $250. Only edition. "Mrs. Ayer had charged Farmer with fathering her child. He beat her to death with a cudgel sic and tried to burn her house" McDade. The report states that the murder weapon was an iron shovel. Farmer was found guilty and executed. McDade The Annals of Murder 300. unknown books
1757réf. 728931757. A "Penurious Old Reptile" on Trial: The 1757 Adultery Trial of Captain James Gambier Trial. Gambier James Defendant 1723-1789. The Proceedings on the Trial of Captain G------ Late of His Majesty's Ship the Severn On an Action on the Case Wherein the Damages Sued for was 10000 l. for Crim. Con. With Ad----l K-----s's Lady; Which was Tried in the Court of King's Bench at Guildhall By a Special Jury On Saturday the Eleventh Day of June 1757. When One Thousand Pounds Damages were Given to the Plaintiff. With an Introductory Preface. London: Printed for H. Owen At the Britannia Printing-Office White-Friers 1757. First edition. Octavo 8" x 4-1/2"; 20.3 x 11.4cm. vii 3-56 pp. Stab-stitched pamphlet in later plain wrappers typed label with title and date to front wrapper. Light soiling and creasing to wrappers. Light toning to interior occasional light foxing light soiling and tiny wear holes in a few places. Crease and a few small holes to foot of title page without loss to legibility. Minor edgewear and localized short tears along the fore-edges of a few leaves. A few small thin spots to page 35 and leaf E4 pages 33-34 which is separating at foot but secure. A very good copy. $250. One of four London issues variant imprints from 1757. This scarce pamphlet details a scandalous 18th-century "Criminal Conversation" crim. con. action-the legal precursor to civil damages for adultery. The plaintiff Admiral Sir Charles Knowles accused Captain James Gambier of an affair with his second wife Maria de Bouget 1733-1796. The trial serves as a fascinating lens into the social dynamics naval politics and public consumption of celebrity scandal in Georgian England. Gambier was notoriously unpopular among his crew; one of his own men famously described him as a "penurious old reptile" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. This deep lack of personal popularity appears to have spilled over into the courtroom. Failing to win the sympathy of the special jury Gambier was ordered to pay a hefty fine of 1000 to the plaintiff-a significant sum for the era though far short of the original 10000 demanded. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. English Short-Title Catalogue N20182. unknown books
1831réf. 736581831. Conspiracy to Suppress a Will Trial. Hodgson Thomas Bent Primary Defendant. Report of the Trial of Thomas Bent Hodgson Esq. And Others Charged With a Conspiracy At the Court of King's Bench Guildhall London On Wednesday & Thursday The 21st & 22d of December 1831 By a Special Jury Before the Right Hon. Lord Tenterden. London: Printed by James & Luke G. Hansard & Sons 1831. 507 1 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Later buckram gilt title and date to spine endpapers renewed speckled edges. Boards bowing slightly light rubbing to extremities rear hinge cracked before final leaf small bookseller's ticket and later bookplate of Geoffrey Briggs to front pastedown. Light toning to interior light soiling in a few places somewhat heavier to title page corners lightly worn in a few places not affecting text crack in text block between pp. 14 and 15 first few leaves loosening at foot but secure brief annotations underlining and marks to margins in several places in an early hand. $250. Only edition. Hodgson and his co-defendants William Young Ann Young and Nancy Watson were accused of conspiring to suppress a will made by William Stephenson a friend of Hodgson and former employer of Watson and the Youngs. Despite what the jury deemed "highly unprofessional" conduct by the prosecutor Hodgson Watson and William Young were convicted; Ann Young was acquitted. Our copy was owned by Sir Geoffrey Briggs 1914-1993 an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of Hong Kong and Brunei. The brief but substantive notes likely precede his ownership. OCLC locates 6 copies of this title in law libraries Harvard Stanford University of Minnesota University of Virginia Library of Congress Social Law. unknown books
1811réf. 683861811. A Notable Study of Tax Indebtedness Trial. Hughes T.B. A Report of the Case of the King Against Bebb and Others. Assignees of Castell and Powell Bankrupts; On an Extent: With Explanatory Notes and an Appendix of Some Cases and Records in Extents Which Have Not Been Before Printed. London: Printed by A. Strahan 1811. iv 244 pp. Half-title lacking. Octavo 8" x 5". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine small shelf label to foot. Light soiling moderate rubbing to extremities corners bumped and lightly worn front hinge cracked front free endpaper lacking. Moderate toning to text faint stains to foot of pp. 176-177 two library inkstamps and embossed stamp to title page annotations to verso. $250. Only edition. Abolished in 1947 a writ of extent was a remedy employed by the crown to recover unpaid taxes from a debtor or bankrupt. This book a combination of treatise and report examines the nature of these writs through a scholarly account with notes and a historical appendix of the important Exchequer case of John Bebb and others assignees of the bankrupt London banking house of Castell and Powell. Bebb and others assignees of Castell and Powell were countersued by the government for the right to assets that would cover payment of bills of exchange drawn by a Newcastle bank against tax-collection funds they were holding on deposit. The drafts had been accepted by the now bankrupt Castell and Powell who had turned them over to the commissioners of excise as collateral for the Newcastle tax deposits payable in thirty days. At issue was the right of the Crown to sue a debtor Castell and Powell of a tax-owing debtor the Newcastle bank. Sweet & Maxwell A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth 2:175. unknown books
1723réf. 860101723. He Escaped the Tower to Join the Jacobite Rising of 1745 Trial. Kelly George 1688-1762. The Speech of Mr. George Kelly. Spoke at the Bar of the House of Lords on Thursday The 2d of May 1723. In His Defence Against the Bill then Depending For Inflicting Pains and Penalties upon Him. London: Printed for A. Moore near St. Paul's MDCCXXIII 1723. Price One Shilling. 15 1 pp. Folio 13-1/2" x 8-1/2"; 34.3 x 21.6 cm. Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Occasional corner creasing; final leaf partially detached with some marginal fraying. Moderate toning and light dust-soiling. A very good unsophisticated copy. $250. "First edition" one of 13 issued by 5 different presses 2 of them anonymous in 1723 6 with later edition statements ranging from "second" to "seventh." The English Short-Title Catalogue ESTC notes that bookseller's name "A. Moore" is fictitious. Kelly an ordained clergyman who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Hanoverian King George I was implicated in the Atterbury Plot a conspiracy to restore the Stuart monarchy. When the plot was discovered Kelly was arrested. Because the government lacked enough evidence for a traditional treason conviction they passed an Act for Inflicting Pains and Penalties against him which led to the show trial where Kelly delivered the widely-circulated speech recorded in this pamphlet. This specific legislative act sentenced Kelly to life imprisonment and the forfeiture of all his property. Unlike a Bill of Attainder an Act of Pains and Penalties usually stopped short of the death penalty but bypassed the need for a jury trial. After 14 years in the Tower of London Kelly famously escaped in 1736 fled to France. It was a dramatic feat; he reportedly walked out in a disguise after his captors became lax over a decade into his life sentence. His presence as one of the "Seven Men of Moidart"-the small group that accompanied Prince Charles Edward Stuart to Scotland in 1745-cements his role as one of the most persistent and effective Jacobite agents of the 18th century. The imprint "A. Moore" is a classic bibliographical "red herring." During this period printers used fictitious imprints to avoid prosecution for seditious libel. "A. Moore" often punning on "Amour" or simply "more" copies was a common pseudonym used for controversial polit. unknown books
1794réf. 788761794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. A Member of the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" Trial. Margarot Maurice Defendant 1745-1815. The Trial of Maurice Margarot Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On the 13th and 14th of January 1794 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Shorthand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: London: Printed. New-York: Re-Printed by James Carey no. 91 Broad-street 1794. 166 pp. Portrait frontispiece of Margarot. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior occasional light foxing frontispiece and title page just starting to separate at head but secure. $250. Only New York edition reprinted from the London edition of the same year. Margarot was one of the founding members of the London Corresponding Society a radical group inspired by the French Revolution to demand parliamentary reform in the late eighteenth century. Due to the wave of anti-radical and anti-French hysteria initiated by the French Revolution he and four other radicals later known as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" were convicted and transported to Australia in May 1794. English Short-Title Catalogue W20960. unknown books
1794réf. 779351794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. A Member of the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" Trial. Margarot Maurice Defendant 1745-1815. The Trial of Maurice Margarot Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On the 13th and 14th of January 1794 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Shorthand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: London: Printed.-New-York: Re-Printed by James Carey no. 91 Broad-street 1794. 166 pp. Portrait frontispiece laid-in between pp. 52-53. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning occasional light foxing light edgewear to several leaves first and final few leaves separating but secure. $250. Only New York edition reprinted from the London edition of the same year. Margarot was one of the founding members of the London Corresponding Society a radical group inspired by the French Revolution to demand parliamentary reform in the late eighteenth century. Due to the wave of anti-radical and anti-French hysteria initiated by the French Revolution he and four other radicals later known as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" were convicted and transported to Australia in May 1794. English Short-Title Catalogue W20960. unknown books
1793réf. 731901793. Highly Politicized Trial of Scottish Radical Who Promoted Thomas Paine's Rights of Man Trial. Muir Thomas 1765-1798 Defendant. The Trial of Thomas Muir Younger of Huntershill Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh: On Friday the 30th of August 1793: On a Charge of Sedition. From the Records of the Court And Notes of the Evidence Taken During the Trial: To Which are Added The Speeches of the Lord Advocate Mr Muir And the Lord Justice Clerk Addressed to the Jury. Edinburgh: Printed for James Simpson and J. Hamilton 1793. iv 105 1 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Disbound edges untrimmed. Moderate toning somewhat heavier in places occasional light foxing light soiling in a few places final leaf detaching slightly at foot but secure. $250. Second expanded edition. Scots radical Thomas Muir an advocate was an ardent supporter of the American and French Revolutions and a proponent of comprehensive parliamentary reform in Great Britain. His activities in Great Britain and France eventually led to a highly politicized trial on sedition charges in 1793. In the end Muir was found guilty of distributing and promoting Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man. He was sentenced to fourteen years transportation to the Australian penal colony of Botany Bay. He had a remarkable escape but his health was ruined and he died soon afterwards. OCLC locates 7 copies of this edition 4 in North America Columbia Newberry Library University of Rochester Washington State Law Library. English Short-Title Catalogue T175339. unknown books
1834réf. 734791834. Scottish Criminal Conversation Trial Interesting for Issues Concerning Intercepted Letters Trial. Murray William Defendant. Report of Trial in the Action of Damages for Crim. Con.: Poor Alexander Bell Teacher Dundee Versus William Murray Now or Lately Rector of the Dundee Academy Taken in Short-Hand; Containing a Discussion Upon the Law of Intercepted Correspondence. Edinburgh: s.n. 1834. 63 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent quarter cloth over marbled boards printed title to spine. Light soiling to cloth and negligible wear to corners front hinge cracked rear hinge starting at ends printed shelfmark and residue from removed bookplate to inner front board. Light toning to interior light foxing in a few places. A nice copy of a scarce title. $250. Only edition. This trial involved a teacher who was allegedly cuckolded by the rector of his school. The plaintiff's case rested on the admissibility of a letter said to have been sent by the wife to Murray but not received by him. OCLC locates 14 copies 7 in North American law libraries. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1015. unknown books
1833réf. 573241833. 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
1856réf. 847541856. Well-Illustrated Contemporary Account of a Famous London Poisoning Trial Trial. Palmer William 1824-1856 Defendant. Illustrated and Unabridged Edition of The Times Report of the Trial of William Palmer for Poisoning John Parsons Cook At Rugeley. From the Short-Hand Notes Taken in the Central Court from Day to Day. London: Ward and Lock 158 Fleet Street 1856. 184 pp. Folding frontispiece woodcut illustrations throughout text several full-page advertisements to wrappers. Report of the final day of the trial and its verdict clipped from the London Times January 14 1856 laid in. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/2"; 20.95 x 13.97 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Binding slightly cocked light soiling edgewear and a few tiny stains to wrappers creasing to spine moderate wear to spine ends. Moderate toning to interior light browning to sections light soiling to title page lower corner lacking from frontispiece with minor loss to image. A very good copy overall. $250. Only edition. Also known as the Rugeley Poisoner or the Prince of Poisoners Palmer was a physician who abandoned his practice to own and breed racehorses which often put him in financial difficulty. As a full-blown sociopath he saw murder as a convenient way to restore his finances. In order to collect on their life insurance policies he poisoned his brother wife his mother-in-law and four of his children who were killed before their first birthdays. He also defrauded a friend John Cook when he was poisoning him and cheated his wealthy mother out of thousands of pounds. He was finally convicted in 1855 for murdering Cook and was executed the following year. Davenport-Hines "Palmer William Called the Rugeley Poisoner" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 19:281. unknown books
1806réf. 829611806. London: M. Gurney Bookseller Holborn-Hill 1806. London: M. Gurney Bookseller Holborn-Hill 1806. With an Interesting Manuscript Note Trial. Patch Richard Defendant c.1770-1806. Gurney Joseph 1744-1815 Reporter. Gurney William Brodie 1777-1855 Reporter. The Trial of Richard Patch for the Wilful Murder of Isaac Blight At Rotherhithe On the 23d of September 1805. At the Session House Newington Surrey On Saturday the Fifth of April 1806. Taken in Short-Hand. London: Sold by M. Gurney Bookseller Holborn-Hill 1806. 197 3 pp. Folding frontispiece "Plan of the Premises of the Late Mr. Blight". Publisher advertisement to verso of final leaf. Octavo 8" x 5"; 20.25 x 12.5 cm. Recent cloth gilt title and publication date to spine marbled edges endpapers renewed. A few faint finger smudges spine ends lightly bumped. Moderate toning and light foxing to interior a few creases and short tears and a corner fold to frontispiece later manuscript leaf in a neat hand affixed to its verso. A very good copy. $250. Second and final edition of two issues. Patch the eldest son of a smuggler had been forced to mortgage his Exeter farm and subsequently fled to London in order to dodge his creditors. While there he met Blight a ship-breaker who proposed that he become a partner in the business. Patch agreed but lacked the money to pay for his share and killed Blight instead. In passing sentence the judge told Patch: "you began this practice in fraud continued it in ingratitude and completed it by shedding the blood of your friend and benefactor." The long manuscript note on the affixed leaf discusses whether "the proposed change allowing the Defence of Prisoners by Counsel is not needed" with reference to this case. Its author rejects this proposal. The note concludes with a reference to the Second Report of the Royal Commission on the Criminal Law 1836. The first Gurney edition was published in 1805 and reissued in 1806. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 11:313. unknown books
1679réf. 727661679. A Victim of the Popish Plot Trial. Popish Plot. Richard Langhorne Defendant c.1624-1679. The Tryall of Richard Langhorn Esq; Counsellor at Law: For Conspiring the Death of the King Subversion of the Government And Protestant Religion. Who Upon Full Evidence was Found Guilty of High Treason And Received Sentence Accordingly At the Sessions in the Old-Bayley Holden for London and Middlesex On Saturday Being the 14th. of June 1679. Published by Authority. London: Printed for H. Hills et al. 1679. ii 41 44-68 2 pp. Collates complete quire M paginated 41 44 45 44. Folio 12-1/2" x 7". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent quarter morocco over marbled boards. Light fading to morocco light rubbing to bottom edge. Moderate toning to interior light foxing and soiling in a few places illegible early marks to front endleaf and head of title page later small stamped "5" to front endleaf. A handsome copy. $250. Only edition. One of the cruelest hoaxes in British history and one that led to a wave of anti-Catholic violence the Popish Plot was the invention of Titus Oates an Anglican clergyman and his friend Dr. Israel Tonge a cleric and passionate anti-Catholic. They pretended to have discovered a Jesuit plot to assassinate the King massacre Protestants and set James Duke of York the King's Catholic brother on the throne. Langhorne was a Roman Catholic and had provided legal and financial advice to Jesuits in London. He was convicted of treason and executed and beatified as a Catholic martyr in 1929 by Pius XI. English Short-Title Catalogue R1705. unknown books
1830réf. 729131830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars 1830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars 1830. A Notable Scottish Estate Case Trial. Roy Robert Defendant. MacGregor Simon Reporter. Dundonnell Cause. Report of the Trial by Jury Thomas Mackenzie Esq. Against Robert Roy Esq. W.S. Reported by Simon MacGregor. May 11 1830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars by Ballantyne and Co. 1830. 84 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Light rubbing to board edges. Light toning to interior light foxing and soiling in a few places. $250. Only edition. Roy a Scottish lawyer was accused of swindling an estate from his client Kenneth Mackenzie of Dundonnell by Mackenzie's son Thomas. The trial attracted several notable legal names among them Henry Cockburn who had secured an acquittal for Helen McDougal in the famous Burke and Hare murder trial the year before. His jury address and the exchanges between counsel are well-documented in our account. The jury was split and a second trial was held in January 1831 which resulted in Roy's conviction. OCLC locates 10 copies of this title 4 in North America Library of Congress University of Minnesota Law Harvard Law Los Angeles County Law. unknown books
1689réf. 536261689. The Legality of Lord Russell's Trial Trial. Rye House Plot. Atkyns Sir Robert 1621-1709. A Defence of the Late Lord Russel's Innocency By Way of An Answer or Confutation of a Libellous Pamphlet Intituled An Antidote Against Poyson; With Two Letters of the Author of This Book Upon the Subject of His Lordship's Tryal. Together with an Argument in the Great Case Concerning Elections of Members to Parliament Between Sr Samuel Barnardiston Bar. Plaintiff And Sr Will. Soames Sheriff of Suffolk Defend' in the Court of King's-Bench In an Action Upon the Case And Afterwards by Error Sued in the Exchequer-Chamber. London: Printed for Timothy Goodwin 1689. iii 51 pp. Title page preceded by advertisement leaf. Argument in the Great Case preceded by divisional title page. Folio 12" x 7". Disbound text secure. Some edgewear and soiling to first and final leaves worming through upper margins of most leaves with no loss to text. Toning small faint stains to a few leaves internally clean. $250. First edition. This is a reply to a pamphlet by Sir Bartholomew Shower that defended the legal position of the Russell trial. Atkyns was Russell's legal advisor. Russell 1639-1683 was implicated in and ultimately executed due to his supposed involvement in the Rye House Plot a plan to assassinate King Charles II and his brother and heir to the throne James Duke of York devised by a group of Whigs. Some historians believe this plot was largely fabricated by Charles II as a way to destroy the Whigs most notably Russell and Algernon Sydney 1623-1683 who were convicted and executed on the basis of flimsy evidence. English Short-Title Catalogue R4958. unknown books