Speech of David Paul Brown in defence of Alexander William Holmes, one of the crew of the ship William Brown, indicted for manslaughter upon the high seas, April 21, 1842, before the circuit court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia: Robb, Pile & M'Elroy, 1858. 8vo, pp. [2], 34, [2]; original printed tan wrappers; spine with short cracks else near fine. The ship William Brown struck an iceberg in 1841 and quickly sank. Some of the crew and passengers escaped in two boats. One of the boats swamped and, as the weather worsened, the crew began throwing passengers overboard to lighten the load. Alexander Holmes, a Finn, was one of those who, under orders, did the throwing - the crime for which he is being tried here. David Paul Brown was a well-known Philadelphia lawyer and a prominent abolitionist. This is the text of his speech to the jury. Despite his efforts, Holmes was found guilty, and was sentenced to six months in jail and a $20 fine. Brown was in the habit of publishing his speeches. McDade cites four similar publications, but not this one, which is rather scarce. OCLC shows holdings only at N.Y. Public and Iowa Law. Item #60152
Price: $750.00
