TRIAL OF JOHN BLAISDELL, ON AN INDICTMENT FOR THE MURDER OF JOHN WADLEIGH, AT THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE, HOLDEN AT EXETER, SEPTEMBER 1822. BY A MEMBER OF THE BAR

Exeter, 1822. 60pp, stitched and untrimmed. Light spotting, Very Good. Inscribed in ink on the title page: "To Ira Young Esq | Counsellor at Law | Darby NH | From his Friend | Philip Carrigain."

"Blaisdell was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of Wadleigh, whom he beat with a stick at Exeter, New Hampshire" [McDade]. Ichabod Bartlett and William Smith represented him. The pamphlet prints the indictment, the selection of jurors, opening remarks of the prosecutor and summaries of the testimony of the many witnesses. One such witness, Jude Hall, is identified as "a coloured man." Closing arguments of counsel are printed. Blaisdell's lawyers make an impassioned plea for his innocence, emphasizing that there were no witnesses to the murder; and that the prosecution's case was entirely circumstantial. Judge Levi Woodbury, who would be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1845, charged the Jury. His review of the evidence suggests that Woodbury himself was not persuaded of Blaisdell's guilt.
The jury returned with a compromise verdict-- Blaisdell was found guilty of manslaughter. Philip Carrigain [1772-1842] was a lawyer, New Hampshire Secretary of State [1805-1810], Clerk of the New Hampshire State Senate [1821-1823], and surveyor and publisher of the 1816 map of the State. He is credited by some with the creation of the State's nickname -- The Granite State. Ira Young [1794-1845], a lawyer, was a member of the State militia, rising to the rank of Major-General.
McDade 107. Cohen 12373. Sabin 96828.