Assault and Battery, Report of the Trials of the Causes of Elisha.

Trials; Van Rensselaer, Solomon, Primary Defendant

Published by Publication Date: 1808

[Albany, NY]: Croswell & Frary, 1808. Bloody Clashes Between Federalists and Jeffersonians in Albany [Trials]. Van Rensselaer, Solomon [1774-1852], Primary Defendant. Assault and Battery: Report of the Trials of the Causes of Elisha Jenkins vs. Solomon Van Rensselaer, Solomon Van Rensselaer vs. John Tayler, the Same vs. Charles D. Cooper, And the Same vs. Francis Bloodgood: Before Arbitrators, At Albany, August 16th, 17th and 18th, 1808. [Albany, NY]: Croswell & Frary, 1808. 80 pp. Woodcut map. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5-1/4"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet, untrimmed fore and bottom edges. Light soiling to exterior, tiny stain to title page, a few signatures loose, light browning to text. Small mark in pencil to verso of title page, interior otherwise clean. $450. * Only edition. A notorious episode in Albany's political history, these trials were the result of a street brawl between a group of Federalists and Jeffersonians. It was initiated when Rensselaer attacked Jenkins from behind with his walking stick after an argument over the fate of Irish rebels seeking admission to the United States. Cooper, Tayler and Bloodgood joined the fight. Jenkins was awarded $2,500.00 in damages. Bloodgood would later become mayor of Albany. Tayler, later a judge, went on to become lieutenant governor of New York. Taylor and Cooper, a judge, were involved in the controversy that precipitated the Hamilton-Burr duel. The street map shows locations of relevant sites and the positions of witnesses. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 14363. Seller Inventory # 66580

Bibliographic Details

Title: Assault and Battery, Report of the Trials of...
Publication Date: 1808
Illustrator: [Albany, NY]: Croswell & Frary, 1808