The Indiana Justice, A Treatise on the Jurisdiction, Authority..

1845. First and Only Edition: Van Santvoord's 1845 Manual from Indiana's Early Statehood Van Santvoord, George [1819-1863]. The Indiana Justice, A Treatise on the Jurisdiction, Authority, And Duty of Justices of the Peace, In the State of Indiana, In Civil and Criminal Cases: Containing a Summary of the Law of Personal Actions, And of Evidence, With a Full Collection of Forms in Civil and Criminal Proceedings; And Also, Under the Various Miscellaneous Actions of the State. Lafayette: Fry & Jackson, 1845. viii, [2], [9]-548 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, boards ruled in blind, spine with lettering piece and blind fillets. Moderate rubbing to boards and extremities, corners bumped, hinges cracked but holding, front free endpaper lacking. Moderate toning, occasional light foxing. Early owner label "M. J. Huffman" to spine, signatures to front pastedown; interior otherwise clean and unmarked. $350. First and only edition. A substantial and comprehensive mid-19th-century Indiana justice of the peace manual, combining substantive law with detailed procedural guidance and an extensive collection of practical forms. Works of this type were intended for active courtroom use and were frequently handled heavily, making surviving copies in sound condition increasingly uncommon. Van Santvoord, originally of Kinderhook, New York, practiced law in Indiana at the time of publication. He later returned to New York, where he served in the New York State Assembly and as District Attorney for Rensselaer County, and went on to author several notable treatises on New York practice. This copy was owned by Marion J. Huffman, lawyer and judge of Wright County, Missouri, with his ownership markings to spine and pastedown. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 8351.