Autograph Letter, signed ("Lemuel Shaw"), introducing Mr. Charles J. Henshaw

Shaw, Lemuel

Published by [Boston], 1823

About this Item

1 p. pen and ink on paper. 1 vols. 4to. A letter of introduction by lawyer and future State Supreme Court Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw for Charles J. Henshaw of Connecticut, a lawyer and man of some means who had long resided in Montreal. On June 2, 1823 Henshaw shot and killed one John Swails in Montreal. Henshaw believed Swails to be part of a group of hooligans who, following the custom of charivari, were persistently harrassing his sister and brother-in-law, George Holt, following their marriage. This letter, though the year is left off, appears to be written shortly after the fatal event. It reads, in part, "I herewith hand you this letter of introduction from my friend Mr. Charles J Henshaw, descendant of this town … Mr. George [sic] J. Henshaw is a lawyer in Montreal. Mr. Charles [sic] H. Holt, is borther in law of Mr. H & a merchant in Quebec. I believe he thought it might be more agreeable & useful to you to make arrangements with a lawyer & he has added a letter to Mr. Gregy …" Although the man Henshaw shot, John Swails, turned out to be his own servant and thus not likely to have been one of the instigators of the charivari, public and legal opinion sided with Henshaw and the Holts. Following the incedent they fled across the border to the United States, Henshaw eventually marrying and settling in Brooklyn Heights, while Holt returned to Montreal. Small closed tear at margin, old folds, remnant of prior mounting on verso of left margin 1 p. pen and ink on paper. 1 vols. 4to. Seller Inventory # 261844

Bibliographic Details

Title: Autograph Letter, signed ("Lemuel Shaw"), ...

Publisher: [Boston]

Publication Date: 1823