The Trial of Col. Aaron Burr, on an Indictment for Treason. Before the Circuit Court of the United States, Held in Richmond, (Virginia), May Term, 1807: Including the Arguments and Decisions on All the Motions Made During the Examination and Trial, and on the Motion for an Attachment against Gen. Wilkinson. Taken in Short-Hand by T. Carpenter. Vols. I-III

Washington City [Washington, D.C.]: Westcott & Co, 1808. 8vo. 3 volumes. (8 1/4 x 5 inches). Vol. I: 147 [2] 4-135 [3]. 284 pp. Title, Deposit Notice, Publisher's Note. Vol II: 465 [1]. 466 pp. Title, Deposit Notice. Vol. III: 418 I [i-l] [4]. 472 pp. Title, Appendix, Index. Previous owner's small stamp on front pastedowns. Contemporary full sheep, expertly rebacked spines in six gilt-ruled compartments with red morocco lettering-pieces in second compartments and volume numbers in fourth

First edition of all three volumes of "the rarest and best account of the trial," (Eberstadt) which made US legal history in its interpretations of treason and executive sovereignty. This elusive set, almost always found without the third volume, is Burr's own report and is crucial to understanding early democracy in America. Of especial relevance today as other high-profile American politicans face their own accusations of treason.

"The most exciting trial held in this country during the first half of the nineteenth century." (Graff) Aaron Burr Jr. was an American politician, businessman, lawyer, co-founder of the Bank of New York, and Founding Father who served as Vice President during Jefferson's first term, and, more recently, served as the foil in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton. How Burr came to be arrested in Alabama in 1807 is bizarre and byzantine, but in brief: Burr was rejected by his own party, the Democratic-Republicans, for opposing Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election runoff in the House, and then was shunned by the Federalists for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Burr went West to seek better fortunes, which included a rogue military adventure to seize lands belonging to Spain in Louisiana and Mexico, with incentive given to the Western states to join his adventure. However, Burr's longtime friend, General James Wilkinson, decided to abandon this dubious plan and inform the Feds instead. President Jefferson did not look kindly on his former Vice President's conspiracy to entice the Western states to leave the Union and join with him as he colonized new lands with the support of England. Jefferson alerted Congress and ordered Burr's arrest. Firm in his belief that Burr was a traitor, Jefferson had him charged as such. Luckily for Burr, Chief Justice John Marshall was Jefferson's longtime political foe and would preside at Burr's trial because he was also the federal judge for the US Circuit Court in Virginia. Burr was acquitted and fled for Europe.

Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 14091, 14092. Eberstadt 134-68. Graff 506. Howes B1013. Sabin 9433. Tompkins, Burr 18.