2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
Two imprints regarding impeachment of Judge Peck, "Report. The Committee on the Judiciary to which was referred the memorial of Luke E. Lawless, complaining of the official conduct of James H. Peck, Judge of the District Court of the United States for the district of Missouri...," Washington, 1830, 54pp., 8-1/2" x 5-1/2," fine. ... plus, "Letter from James H. Peck ...," Washington, 1830, 54pp., 8-1/2" x 5-1/2," fine. Peck was the third Judicial officer on whom the United States House of Representatives has passed Articles of Impeachment and was acquitted by the United States Senate. Peck was involved in several land claim cases arising out of the Louisiana territory purchase; in one such case in 1825 he ruled against the client of the lawyer Luke Lawless and published his opinion in a St. Louis newspaper the following year. In response, Lawless posted an anonymous letter rebutting Peck's ruling in another newspaper. The authorship of the letter soon became known and Peck found Lawless in contempt of Court. Peck had Lawless placed in jail for 24 hours and removed his right to practice in a federal court for 18 months. Lawless began a crusade against Peck, which included submitting his own memorial for impeachment to the House. This memorial resulted in Impeachment charges before the US House of Representatives.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.