Important Trial for Seduction, in the Superior Court of N. York, before Justice Oakley, Nancy Van Haun vs. Silas E. Burrows, on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th November, 1833.

[New York Superior Court of New York, 1833.] First edition. Printed paper self-wrappers. . 5 x 8 in. . Toning to first and last leaf at spine. Splitting at spine. Contemporary ink ownership signature to top margin of first page. Some foxing and dustsoiling. A good copy of a fragile and uncommon item. Mary Carew and her sister Nancy van Haun were employed as servants in the home of Silas E. Burrows, "an eminent and wealthy merchant." Van Haun was the plaintiff in the case, but it was Carew whose "illicit amours" with Burrows in the summer of 1833 resulted in her pregnancy. During the trial, it was revealed that Burrows had refused to financially support Carew during her pregnancy, and that he had previously broken off an engagement to Carew's younger sister Henrietta. The case was sensational, and, on the day of the trial, the courtroom was packed with onlookers: "Perhaps on no similar occasion in this country has such an immense number of persons assembled, as were gathered together on this occasion…[T]here were not less than three thousand persons in court," (p. 20). Though throngs of people were also present to hear the verdict the day after the trial concluded, the court could not reach a conclusion and a re-trial was scheduled.