Description:

Joseph Story
Salem, MA, December 7, 1824
Joseph Story ALS to Law Reporter William Johnson re: Retirement of NY Judge
ALS
A lengthy autograph letter signed "Joseph Story" at conclusion to William Johnson, Esq., a law reporter responsible for publishing the judicial works of Judge James Kent (1763-1847). 3pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Salem, MA, December 7, 1824. The letter, written after Kent's retirement and as Johnson's own career was drawing to a close, praises both Kent's work as judge and Johnson's as court reporter. Exhibits light age toning with minor isolated soiling to the integral address leaf verso. A seal tear has resulted in two small losses to the same, affecting about five words of text (not affecting comprehension). Overall, very good.

In part:

"This volume fills me with alternate melancholy & pleasure- the latter, because I see in it so many proofs of admirable learning & judgement in the chancellor's decisions, & so much of accuracy & sound taste & finish in the Reporter- with melancholy- because it closes a career so honorable to both, so full of glory, talent & pure devotion to the best interests of the public-…."

Joseph Story (1779-1845) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court from 1812 to 1845. He is most remembered for his opinions in Martin v. Hunter's Lessee and United States v. The Amistad, and especially for his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, first published in 1833. A notable challenger to Jacksonian democracy, Story believed it to be an "oppression" of property rights by republican governments.

William Johnson (1769-1848) was a lawyer from New York who became a prominent figure of the city's leading intellectual and literary circles. While practicing law in New York City, Johnson befriended James Kent, who in 1798 was appointed Justice of the New York Supreme Court. In 1806, Kent, who had risen to Chief Justice, installed Johnson as Reporter of the Supreme Court. During the next 18 years, he published 20 volumes of Reports in addition to a number of other volumes relating to cases of the State Court.

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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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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