REPORT OF THE CASE OF CHARLES STEARNS AGAINST J. W. RIPLEY, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, AT BOSTON, NOVEMBER TERM, 1850, FOR MALICIOUS PROSECUTION. HIS HONOR JUDGE SPRAGUE, PRESIDING.
Springfield: G.W. Wilson, 1851. 76, [1], [1 blank], 14pp + frontis map of the location of the Springfield Armory. Printed note dated March 1852 tipped in after page 11 of the Appendix. Near Fine. Presentation copy: Inscribed neatly in ink on the front wrapper, 'Hon. A.M. Schermerhorn from Charles Stearns.'
Ripley, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory, presided over its transition from a civil to a military establishment. Opposing the change, Stearns expressed concern about the welfare of the Armory's employees; he also owned abutting land that Ripley was obstructing. Stearns, concluding that Ripley was "a disagreeable man to contend with," got indicted for malicious trespass and riot. Ultimately acquitted, he sued Ripley for trespass, and was himself again indicted for trespass. Stearns was the owner of a private water company in Springfield.
Finally, he writes, "I obtained a verdict giving me the land which Major Ripley boldly attempted to wrest from me." Stearns sets out his case here, for the public to see the justice of his cause and Ripley's abuse of power.
FIRST EDITION. Cohen 12057. Sabin 90872. Not in Harv. Law Cat. Item #32151
Price: $275.00