TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.
[Frankfort: Robinson, Pr. 1825]. 37, [1 blank] pp, with caption title, as issued. Disbound and lightly foxed. Good+. Signed in type at the end, "Achilles Sneed, Frankfort, Ky. June, 1825."
This is an interesting look at early Kentucky's Court Controversy, by an author uniquely positioned to write about it. "Achilles Sneed was the clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals from 1801 until he was ousted in 1824 as a result of the Old Court - New Court controversy. He was a Frankfort civic leader, and his home still stands near the Old Capitol and adjacent to the Kentucky Historical Society" [Oxford Academic - Kentucky Scholarship on line]. The Kentucky Supreme Court was called the Court of Appeals.
The Panic of 1819 brought financial ruin to many Kentuckians. In response, Kentucky's legislature stayed the payment of debts and required lenders to accept payment in notes of the new, uncapitalized Bank of Kentucky, or to endure lengthy deferrals. Angry that the Kentucky Court held these measures to be unconstitutional, the legislature abolished the Court of Appeals and established a new Court, which the Governor filled with Pro-Relief judges. Sneed was out of a job.
Denying the legislature's power to abolish the Old Court, Sneed presents his constitutional reasoning. He angrily claims, "I am sacrificed at the shrine of avarice, cupidity, and lawless power."
Cohen 11151. Sabin 85376. Item #40011
Price: $1,250.00