SCOTUS History: 1828 Letter to Justice Story from Reporter Richard Peters Jr.

Description: SCOTUS History: 1828 Letter to Justice Story from Reporter Richard Peters Jr. A three page letter dated March 31, 1828 from Richard Peters Jr. to Justice Joseph Story. The letter consists of a single leaf of paper measuring about 9 7/8" x 15 3/4", folded vertically at the center to make four pages, each measuring about 9 7/8" x 7 7/8". The letter is written on the first three pages with the envelope and a wax seal on the fourth. The envelope panel is postmarked Philadelphia, March 31. The letter contains a detailed update from Peters, who had recently been appointed as Reporter of Decisions for the United States Supreme Court. Peters tells Story that he has procured some gallons of an alcoholic beverage that Story enjoyed in Washington. He inquires about the health of Story's wife. Peters thanks Story profusely for his support in procuring his appointment to the Reporter's position. Peters then discusses the details of printing and distributing what would become the famed United States Reports. The letter is in nice condition as shown. There are visible fold marks from mailing. There is wear to the upper right-hand corner. The seal may be seen through the third page, but Peters avoided writing in that space. There are some stray marks from mailing and receipt. This historic letter would be a terrific present for the lawyer, judge, law professor, or legal historian in your life -- particularly if that person has an interest in the Supreme Court. Peters' handwriting is not easy to decipher. The purchaser can spend many rewarding hours developing an accurate transcription and perhaps publishing it in a legal history journal. What follows is our best try at a rough transcription: Envelope: Mr. Justice Story Salem Massachusetts [page 1] Philadelphia March 31, 1828 My Dr Sir I have succeeded in procuring for you about five [?] gallons of the Old Spirits you so much praised in Washington. It will be bottled for you by New Years Eve in New York, and sent to you in Salem. As [?], I had no [?] informed, by Mr. D. Caldwell, the clerk of the Cir. Court, who aided each [?] in this matter that he should draw upon you for the amount. It was not until yesterday I heard from our mutual friend Mrs. Eleazar [?] that Mrs. Story had been indisposed in Boston [?], and so when she passed through the city. I assure [?] you my dear sir that many of my most pleasant hours were passed in the Society of Mrs. Story and that she is associated in the most cherished [page 2] recollections of my winter in Washington. Time [?] will allow me to feel towards her the respect of a sincere friend, and to express my sincere [?] for her restoration to health. Permit me also to say to you that your kind and efficient aid in promoting my appointment [?], your liberal and ready kindness to me in the performance of the duties, and your most valuable and generous friendship toward me upon all occasions, as among the most [?] circumstances of my life, and ask [?] be among its proudest and most gratifying [?]. I find as [?] the success of my labors while at Washington, that I am [?] [?] in "The Reports" than I supposed and [?] all the cases but lawyers, [?] ready for the press, and the Printers [?] [?]. I [page 3] [?] [?] confident that [?] the printer [?] said in his case to case, I shall have the work completed by the first week in June. It will be a large volume, and I shall spare no expense to have it handsomely printed. Instead of [?] the printers to sell it in Boards for five dollars, it [?[ [?] sold at that price [?]. the examples to be furnished to the government will after be [?]. These copies go to the Judges of the Courts of the United States, and I [?] to [?] to the lawyers of [?[ of [?] [?] possible than to save course than other people. I shall send you, if I can find an opportunity, the work in [?] as it progresses. The forms in case in [?] you favor an opinion will be that of [?] as the [?] judge company. Permit me most [?] to Mrs. Story, and before me with [?] regard & [?] [?] [?] Judge Story. Rich. Peters Jr. From Wikipedia: Richard Peters, Jr. (1780 – 1848) was an American attorney and the fourth reporter of decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1828 to 1843. He condensed the reports of his three predecessors to have a more concise version for legal reviews. He eliminated the arguments of counsel, annotations, and other material, thereby reducing twenty-four volumes into six. His immediate predecessor Henry Wheaton sued. The Supreme Court rejected Wheaton's claim to a common law copyright in his own reports in the first landmark case in American copyright law, Wheaton v. Peters. Peters also served as the editor of Chitty on Bills, Joseph Chitty on Criminal Law (1819), Bushrod Washington's Circuit Court Reports, Third Circuit (four volumes, 1803–27), and United States Statutes at Large. He was appointed as the solicitor of Philadelphia County, serving from 1822 to 1825. The Supreme Court dismissed Peters in 1843 because of the questionable "accuracy and fidelity" of his reports; in addition, he had offended several of the justices. Joseph Story (1779 – 1845) was an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1812 to 1845. He is most remembered for his opinions in Martin v. Hunter's Lessee and United States v. The Amistad, and especially for his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, first published in 1833. Dominating the field in the 19th century, this work is a cornerstone of early American jurisprudence. It is the second comprehensive treatise on the provisions of the U.S. Constitution and remains a critical source of historical information about the forming of the American republic and the early struggles to define its law. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our father was a bibliophile who collected rare books, letters, and ephemera for more than 60 years. For now and into the foreseeable future, we will be listing rare paper items from his estate. Take a look at all our items for sale. We combine shipping upon request. Please LET US KNOW if you’ve purchased multiple items so we can combine.

Price: 399 USD

Location: Slingerlands, New York

End Time: 2024-03-21T15:04:24.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15 USD