1822
by Trial; Hay, John
1822. Imprisoned for Criticizing the Court of Session [Trial]. Hay, John. A Narrative of Procedure Before the Court of Session, And Circumstances Connected Therewith, In the Trial of John Hay, Who was Prosecuted at the Instance of the Lord Advocate of Scotland, And Without the Verdict of a Jury, Sentenced to Four Months Imprisonment, By the Judges of the Court of Session. Edinburgh: Printed by D. Webster and Son, for John Hay, 1822. viii, 123, 115 pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5"). Later three-quarter sheep over marbled boards, lettering piece and gilt date to spine, edges untrimmed, marbled (renewed) endpapers. Moderate rubbing and light wear to extremities, corners bumped and worn, small bookseller ticket and later bookplate (Geoffrey G. Briggs) to front pastedown. Moderate toning to interior, occasional light foxing and soiling. $250. * Only edition. Hay, an Edinburgh merchant, publicly alleged that the Court of Session had erred in settling his father-in-law's estate. The criticisms led to contempt of court charges. Hay was denied a jury trial and his case was decided by the judges of the Court of Session, who ruled against him. He then published this account of his prosecution and trial. Our copy was owned by Sir Geoffrey Briggs [1914-1993], an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of Hong Kong and Brunei. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School (1909) II:1096.
(Inventory #: 80208)