SANTANGELO'S TRIAL FOR LIBEL AGAINST SAMUEL McROBERTS, A SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM ILLINOIS. BEFORE THE COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. PART I. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY MR. O. DE A. SANTANGELO TO HIS COUNSEL.
New York: 1842. 86pp. Disbound, rubberstamp on title page. Cohen records an errata slip not present in this printing. Good+.
The author was "an elderly, temperamental, and contentious Italian with a facile pen," and a "voluminous writer" [Streeter TX 1323] for whom Streeter obviously had an affection. Expelled twice from Mexico, he wrote much in behalf of Texian independence. However, "There is no article on Santangelo in the Handbook of Texas" [Id.]
Santangelo had unsuccessfully filed various claims against Mexico which, he argues, Treaty required Mexico to pay. This case arose out of a transaction for a Mexican commercial certificate between Santangelo and McRoberts. Santangelo, in a 'Circular to the World' and elsewhere, called the Senator a liar, thief, and worse; he was prosecuted criminally for libel and presents his side of things here, calling the case a contest "between a naked human frame and a man clothed in full armour." Santangelo says future trial proceedings will form a Second Part to this drama, but he never followed through with this threat.
FIRST EDITION. Sabin 76831. Cohen Supp. 13366.53. II Harv. Law Cat. 1138. Not in AI, Marke, Cohen, Streeter TX, Jenkins BTB, Raines, Rader, Eberstadt, Decker, Graff, Soliday. Item #34590
Price: $450.00