Item #17454 Argument of William Johnston in the Case of the State vs. Ames, Before the Criminal Court of Cincinnati. Trials, William Johnston, Fisher W. Ames.

Argument of William Johnston in the Case of the State vs. Ames, Before the Criminal Court of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati: n. p., 1853. First edition. 8vo, removed pamphlet (no wrappers), 40 pages. A bit dust-soiled; a very good copy. Item #17454

A detailed look at the mores of gentlemanly conflict and the popular press of the Queen City of 1853: whenever Dr. Fisher Ames met railroad president James C. Hall on the street, vituperation, sword canes, and gunshots would somehow soon follow. Hall recovered from an attack and Ames was indicted for malicious intent to kill. Johnston here argues on behalf of his client Ames that the "mountebanks of the press" have inflamed local opinion against his client, and that in any event his client acted in self-defense without premeditation. Johnston--a courtroom advocate of noted skill who had also argued on behalf of fugitive slave cases--managed to secure an acquittal.

Price: $250.00

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