Beschreibung:

Title: Documents in Relation to Charges Preferred by Stephen J. Field and Others before the House of Assembly of the State of California against Wm. R. Turner, District Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of California. California, 1851 Author: Turner, Wm. R. Place: San Francisco Publisher: Whitton, Towne & Co. Date: 1856 Description: 130 pp. Illustrated with wood engraved frontispiece portrait of Judge Turner, 2 folding facsimile letters. 7x4½, contemporary burgundy cloth with gilt title "Judge Turner's Defense, with Other Documents" to front cover. Second Edition. Considerably expanded over the 29-page first edition of 1853, this second edition includes testimonial and affidavits in Judge Turner's defense from a host of local officials as well as a few national notable, including Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. The “absurd feud” (see DAB entry for Stephen Field) between California Judge William Turner and lawyer Stephen Field resulted in Judge Turner’s disbarring and fining Field for contempt of court, and Field, when reinstated, rising to a position in the state legislature where in 1850 he used his influence to "procure the passage of an act reorganizing the state judiciary, whereby his enemy Turner was relegated to a desolate region in the northern section of the state." (DAB). This copy with added 4x7 testimonial reprinted from the San Francisco Herald of Dec. 30, 1856 and headed “Judge Turner’s Book” mounted to front free endpaper, and with 8½x11 legal circular printed in 3 columns mounted to rear endpaper containing a statement by Judge Turner relating to his candidacy for re-election to the office of District Judge for the 8th District, dated Arcata, July 14, 1863 (apparently the “desolate district” referred to above). Judge Turner also makes reference to Indian hostilities in the district, as well as declaring himself in support of the Union. Cowan 647; Rocq 15661. Lot Amendments Condition: Spine and joints a bit faded; small smear of white paint to front cover; small damp stains to top margin of most pages, about very good. Item number: 172982