Report of the evidence at the trial of Levi & Laban Kenniston, before Hon. Samuel Putnam, on an indictment for the robbery of Major Elijah P. Goodridge, December 19, 1816. by Kenniston, Levi, Laban Kenniston, defendants - 1817

Salem, [MA]: T. C. Cushing, 1817. Original Wrappers. Good binding. Octavo. 32 pp. Stitched into self-wrappers. Outer leaves are moderately soiled/stained; interior is fairly bright and clean. A reasonably nice copy. Daniel Webster was one of the defense attorneys in this bizarre case: He had only recently resumed private practice following service in the U.S. Congress. The case involved the "respected" and definitely "connected" Goodridge who accused teh mentally challenged Kenniston brothers of robbery. The cards seemed stacked against the two until Webster rose and began his defense, and stitch by stitch caused Goodridge's story to come apart and succeeded in obtaining the acquittal of the Kennistons. This editions follows a Boston issue of the same year. Shaw & Shoemaker 41955.

1817. [KENNISTON, Levi and Laban]. Report of the Evidence at the Trial of Levi & Laban Kenniston, before Hon. Samuel Putnam, on an Indictment for the Robbery of Major Elijah P. Goodridge, December 19, 1816. Salem, MA: Printed by T.C. Cushing, 1817. 1st ed. 32pp, stitched, untrimmed. Very old water stain to first few leaves, light scattered foxing, else very good. Contemporary presentation inscription on title page. Goodridge set up the robbery, which was a sham, and the Kennistons were acquitted.

Boston: J.T. Buckingham, 1817. First Edition. Octavo (22cm.); disbound; 63pp. Light foxing, first signature starting to separate but still holding, else Very Good and sound. One of three published accounts of the trial of Levi and Laban Kenniston, falsely accused of robbery. Daniel Webster served on the defense team and his address to the jury is included here (pp. 40-56). See Clifford B. Clapp, "The Speeches of Daniel Webster: A Bibliographical Review," in "The Papers of the Bibliographical Society" (1919), pp. 21-2. SABIN 37455; SHAW & SHOEMAKER 41954.