An ABRIDGMENT Of The CRIMINAL LAW Of The UNITED STATES; Containing the Important Penal Acts of Congress of the United States, and of the Legislatures of the Principal States of the Union; Accompanied with a Brief Statement of the Law of England, the Decisions of the Federal Courts, and of the Courts of the Several States, Relative to Crimes and Misdemeanors. Containing also the Treaties of Extradition Entered into by the United States with England and France, and the Acts of Congress and Several States Relative to the Surrender of Fugitives from Justice and from Labor, with the Practice and Forms of Proceeding under the Same. To which are Added Precedents of Indictments and Pleas.
Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1847. 1st edition (BEAL 3713; cf Sabin 40798 for the more common 1848 edition). 715, [1 (blank)] pp. 8vo. 9-1/2" x 5-7/8". Modern light brown quarter-leather binding with marbled paper boards. Renewed eps. Binding - Fine. Textblock - VG+ (sporadic light foxing). Item #33534
As a young man, Lewis became a printer, and practiced this business while studying law. At 24, he passed the bar, and soon rose in his profession, as evidenced 2 years later when appointed Deputy Attorney-General of the State of Pennsylvania. Further, in 1832, he was elected a member of the state legislature. 1833 saw his appointment as Attorney-general, and in October that year, President Judge of the 8th Judicial district. In January, 1843, he was made president judge of the 2d district, in 1851 he was elected a justice of the State Supreme Court, and in 1854-7 was Chief Justice.
This the one legalistic book published by this distinguished jurist- the 1847 first edition is quite uncommon, at the time of cataloguing, held by just 6 institutions [per OCLC].
Price: $500.00