[Rarebooks] FS: 1834 manuscript, New Yorker sues the US over telescopes & quill pens

[Bob Petrilla]

Price, William M. TWO (2) HANDWRITTEN NEW YORK CITY LEGAL DOCUMENTS,
REGARDING AN 1834 SUIT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. Original
manuscripts. Document #1: 3pp, sepia ink, written in a neat hand. Presents
the case of Benedict Joseph of 266-1/2 Broadway, NYC vs. the United States,
William M. Price, Esq., US District Attorney for the Southern District of
New York. The case involves 72 telescopes, 20 gross of steel pens, and one
gross of imitation quills that Joseph claims were "purchased or caused to
be manufactured" for his account by Joseph's mother, Mrs. Judith Joseph of
London, England for cash “at the prices in the invoice mentioned….” Joseph
presented the invoice to the Collector of the Port of New York when the
goods arrived. He says that “the grounds for forfeiture of the goods on
which the Government mainly rely…is an alleged undervaluation of the
same….” In order to “show the fairness of the Deponent’s transaction… it is
necessary [for Joseph] to have a Commission to England with the original
invoice annexed and accompanied by a part of each description of goods….”
This would determine that the goods were bought or made at the prices
stated in the invoice; and that “like goods can be had in any quantity at
the same prices and …not below cash prices." It also names five “material
witnesses for the Deponent," all located in England, including his mother
and Moses Levin and Ephraim Levin, General Dealers, &c. “Sworn before me
29th day of August, 1834” and signed by S. Rapelye. Written affidavit
follows, signed by Alexander Kunsheetz(?). Docketed on the verso. Some
splitting at folds, still intact. 12.5" x 8" ~~ Document #2: 1p, sepia ink,
written in a neat hand. States that Joseph's case against the US is being
moved in December, 1834 to the chambers of Judge Samuel R. Betts, &c.
Docketed on verso. Original folds. 13" x 8"   $50.00

Trade discount 20%, postpaid in US



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