THE SPEECHES, ARGUMENTS AND DETERMINATIONS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS OF COUNCIL AND SESSION IN SCOTLAND: UPON THAT IMPORTANT CAUSE, WHEREIN HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF HAMILTON AND OTHERS WERE PLAINTIFFS AND ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS OF DOUGLAS, ESQ., DEFENDANT: WITH AN INTRODUCTORY PREFACE GIVING AN IMPARTIAL AND DISTINCT ACCOUNT OF THIS SUIT / BY A BARRISTER AT LAW.

First edition. 8vo. 391, [1], 8pp. (8-page publisher’s catalogue at end contains some interesting pamphlets published in England and America concerning taxation and trade). ¾ calf over marbled boards, rubbed. Boards separated (present). Spine in compartments with a gilt lettered red Morocco label, chipped. All edges red. Engraving on front pastedown, plate of Charles Wetherill of Philadelphia on fep. Contemporary ownership inscription of William Meredith on title. Leaves toned and foxed. In good condition. This was a high-profile legal case concerning the inheritance of a vast fortune. The ownership inscription on the title may be that of Sir William Meredith (d.1790), a member of parliament. The case, known as the “Douglas Cause”, began after the death of the Duke of Douglas in 1761. He had no heirs and his distant cousin, the Duke of Hamilton, was in line to inherit the enormous estate. However, the Duke of Douglas’ sister, Jane Douglas, had given birth to twin boys at the age of 50 and the surviving son, Archibald had claimed the inheritance to be rightfully his. The court case began in 1767, and the judges ruled in favor of Hamilton. Archibald’s lawyers quickly sued and the decision was reversed two years later, restoring the estate to Archibald Douglas. ESTC T7919.…