Description:

Aaron Burr ALS “ special verdict” Showing Keen Legal Mind

2pp, measuring 7.5" x 9.25", New York, dated December 28, 1824. Signed "A. Burr" and addressed to Hon. John Woodworth, regarding a legal case concerning Lands in New York. Reading in full:

"Judgements were given at the late Term in the case made in these five suits, which case contained a provision that 'either party' might turn it into a special verdict. Writs of Error were taken out by plff & notice thereof given immediately after the term. Having waited til 3d inst. & no movement having been made by plff toward sp. verdict, I on that day served plff's atty with a proposed sp. verd. and a notice requiring that amendments should be proposed within four days on that the verdict would be considered as settled. The plff's attorney paid no sort of attention to this proceeding; wherefore, believing that the sole object of the plff was delay (Mr. Cox holding in his hands several thousand dollars of the Estate of Find to which all costs and expenses are charged) & having made up the records within the special verdict as by me proposed, I caused them to be signed on the 20th inst. But on the same day & before the Records were file, the plff's atty sent me copy herewith enclosed, of a special verdict proposed on his part. I agreed to furnish amendments upon his agreeing to the stipulation which is also herewith enclosed. I have only to request your early attention to the settlement and that you would take the trouble to transmit them to me by mail & I engage that the Records shall be filed within 24 hours after the settled verdict shall come to my hands - but if you should send the verdict to the plff's attorney or deliver it to his agent in Albany, it is not probably that I shall get possession of it in season to avail myself of the approaching term of the Courts of Errors. Moreover, the verdict belongs to the prevailing party & it is very Right to make up the records.

P.S. The parcel containing the papers goes separately from this Post Paid. If it should not be delivered with this, please to send to the office for it." The letter is accompanied by the original envelope, hand-addressed by Burr. The letter has flattened mail folds, with expert repairs to the splits. Moderate toning throughout and dampstaining at the left edge. Chipping at the right edge. Boldly signed by Burr. Expected wear to the envelope.

A special verdict is a verdict in which the jury gives its findings on factual issues in the case, without necessarily stating which party should win. Aaron Burr (1756-1836) was a prominent lawyer before becoming Vice President of the United States and studied at Princeton before moving to Connecticut to study law. Following the American Revolution, Burr continued his studies and was admitted to the bar in 1782. He continued to practice law until the election of 1800 when he was elected Vice President. Burr's life took entered a downward spiral following his single term at VP, with his duel with Hamilton and his 1807 conspiracy trial inflicting great damage upon his reputation. After his trial for treason, Burr fled to Europe where he lived in self-imposed exile from 1808 to 1812. He finally returned to New York and his law practice in 1812 and lived out the remainder of his life in relative peace.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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