Argument of William H. Seward, in Defence of Abel F. Fitch and Others, Under an Indictment for Arson, Delivered at Detroit on the 12th, 13th and 15th days of September, 1851
Auburn: Derby & Miller, 1851.
First Edition. Softcover. Very good. 68 pp, in original printed wrappers. Mild vertical crease, brief notation at lower right corner of front wrapper; very good. This is the full text of Seward's compelling closing argument in defense of a group of men charged with burning down the Michigan Central Railroad's freight depot in Detroit. The accused men were angry about property damage and loss of income resulting from the construction of the railroad across their land. The trial received considerable publicity and evoked strong opinions on both sides, with many believing the men were being "railroaded" because of their anti-Railroad activism (and that no arson had actually occurred). Despite Seward's impassioned defense and demonstration that the Railroad's witnesses were highly unreliable, twelve of the men were convicted and sentenced to hard labor. Abel Fitch, who was accused of being the ringleader, died of dysentery contracted in jail before the trial was over.
Item #15554
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