Territory of Missouri
County of St. Louis Ss. U S. of America
To the of St Louis township

Whereas Thomas Hempstead & Joshua Pilcher of the town of
St Louis hath this day given information upon oath to me John R. Guy
a justice of the peace within and for the county of St. Louis that a quan
-tity of Beaver Racoon Skins &c have within thirty five days last past by
some person or persons unknown beenfeloniously taken
stolen and carried away from the house of Thos Hempstead in
the town of St. Louis & county of St. Louis and that the said Thos Hempstead & Joshua Pilcher hath probably cause to suspect
and doth suspect that the said goods or a part thereof are concealed in the stable or House of William Esdale
in the town of St. Louis in said county. these are there-
fore to authorise andyou with necessary and proper
assistance to enterin the day time into the stable &
house of the said William Esdale at St. Louis aforesaid in the
County aforesaid and there diligently search for the said and if
the same or any part thereof shall be found upon such
search that you bring the so found and also the
of the said Wm Esdale before me or some other justice of the
peace within and for said county to be of anddealt
with according to law-

Given under my hand & seal this1st
day of August 1820

John R. Guy JP

Executed the within by making
Dillegant search and found a
quantity of Beaver supposed to
be about three hundred lbs
weight a part of the skins being
identified by marks which
were known by Pilcher one
skin marked this in
Black, the whole of which
were found in the House of - the counting House of Wm Easdel
Likewise the body of the
said Easdel in custody

for J WarnerJ. Simonds for D.C.

Service100Aresting Body50travel10$ 1.60

Know all men by these that we
William Esdale & Robert Watt are held and
boundunto the United States of America
in the sum of fifteen hundred Dollars
for the payment of which said sum of money
well and to be madeto each of us
seperatley and apart from each other
ourselves our heirs
and assigns by these presents

now the condition of these
is such that if the above named William
Esdale do appear at the Circuit Court & or the
County of St. Louis on the first monday
in August 1820to St louis on
a certain charge of having recieved stolen goods
the property of the
than theseto be paid otherwise to
in full forse and effect in law,
inwhereof we have here unto
set our hand and seals thisfirst day of August eighteen hundred and twenty

signed and acknowledged
before me a justice of the
peace within and for the
county of St. Louis the oath above written John . R. Guy . Wm Easdale Wm M ONeilRobert Watts

William Esdale bond $ 1500,

Territory of Missouri
County of St. Louis SS US of America

We the undersigned acknowledge ourselves
and each of us seperately and apart from each
other in proper persons to stand indebted
to the United States of America in the sum of
one hundred dollars to be severally of each
of our goods and chattles, lands and tenaments
upon the following conditions

The conditions of this regonizances is such
that if each of the undersigned do personally
appear at the next circuit courtbeholden
within and for the county of Saint Louis
on the first mondayof the present month
& there to give such evidence as he knoweth
on behalf of the United States against a certain
William Esdale on a certain charge of having received stolen goods knowing them to hve been stolen wherewith the said Willaim Esdale is charged
and that neither he nor either of them do depart

without the leave of said court. then these recog
nizance to be said. Else to remain in full force.

Signed and acknowledged
before me a justice of the
peace this 4th Aug 1820John. R. Guy JP Joshua Pilcher Thos Hemptstead John Simonds Jr .Michl E. Joseph PerkinsH RichardsJoseph Joseph White

Aug. 1stforthwith

Warrant to search for stolen goods
Returned forthwith and about 300 lbs
of beaver skins found in the
of the defendents and body in custody

Joshua Pilsher , Thos Hempstead , Michael Hugh
Richards, EphraimJ White, Robert
Andrew Thompson and John Simmonds Jr were
sworn and examined- after which the
required to give bail in $ 1500 A, Beck Robert White
Bail -

I certify that the above is a correct transcript of

the the proceeding in the above case as had before
August 4th 1820

John R. Guy JP

Justice Fees -$ 5.77 1/2 -2.47 1/2 /$8.25

witness

Territory Of Missouri , County of St.Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of S Louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to sumon James B .Pearman
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit curt on the eighth day of August at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein United States are plaintiff and William Easdale is defendant on the part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of St. Louis , this day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred twenty& day of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth Archibald Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

for Defendant

James B . Pearman8th August 1820

james B Pearman
not found in

John R Walker DShff
Non Est .5 cents

County of St. louis ssTo the constable of St Louis county

Summon Robert Preston & Andrew Thompson that the appear before me
forthwith to give
came to his knowlege in a case depending where in the United States
plaintiff and William Esdale defendant
on the part of the United States

given under my hand this 1st August 1820 John R Guy J P

Executed to

forthwith

Service25milage1035

County of St louis ss.To the constatble of St louis township

Summon J L Armorel R Haldeman J White Hutter that they be and appear before
me forthwith to to give evidence in a case
that depending in which the United State
is plaintiff and Mr. Esdal defendent on the
part of the defendent

Given under my hand this 1st Augt 1828 John R. Guy J.P.

J L Armaorle
P Halderman
J White
Executed to attend
forthwith
Aug. 1st 1820

Services34 1/2Milage1552 1/2

August 1820

Stolen goods
A
Paul
foreman
Plead not guilty

Witness Joshua Pilcher Thos Hempstead Jos Perkins Hugh RichardsJos White John Simonds Peter FergusonElisha JBeebe Peter Paul Anderson Robert PrestonChouteau Jr

In Circuit Court
August term 1820

St . Louis county to wit. The Jurors for the
United States of America upon their oath
present that William Easdale late of the
said county of St. Louis stable on the
first day of July in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred an twenty, with
and arms, at the county of St. Louis aforesaid
a large quantity of beaver skins, eigh-
teen
packs of beaver skins, of great value, to wit
of the value of three hundred dollars
pack of the goods and chattels
person using the name and style of “The
Missouri Fur Company " ( but whose particular
names are to the Jurors aforesaid as yet un
known) then and there being found, feloni
ously did steal take and cary away,
contrary to the from of the statute in such
case made & provided & against the peace
and of the States of America

And the Jurors aforesaid upon their
oath aforesaid do further present that the
said William Easdale , in the first day of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and twenty, with and , at St. Louis in the county aforesaid, unlawfully
and unjustly did recive and have a large quantity
of beaver skins, to wit eighteen packs of beaver
skins, of great vlaue, to wit, of the value of
three hundred dollars for each pack, and a large
quantity of rackoon skins, to wit, two packs
of rackoon skins, of great value, to wit of
the value of one hundred dollars for each
pack, of the goods and chattels of certain per-
sons using the name and style of “The Missouri Fur Company " (but whose particular names are to the jurors aforesiad as yet unknown)
lately before feloniously stolen, taken &away by one George the slave of
be the said William Easdale then and
there well knowing the same to be stolen and
unlawfully come by, contary to the form
of the statute in such care made & provided
and against the peace and dignity
United States of America .

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of S Louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Gaston Soulard Robert
Watt James Hill Joseph White
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on theday of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein the United Staes are plaintiffs,
and William Easdale is defendant on the
part of the defendt and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this tenth day of augt in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth
A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Executed this
writ on Jos.h
White on the 11 August
on James Hill
the same day on
Robert Watt
on Gaston Soular-
d the 12 th

John K Walker Dsff

1.3212$1.44

for

Gaston SoulardRobt Watt James Hill Joseph White
Defts

Territory Of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To Sheriff of S Louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Francis Andrew Thompson Wm. Braud JoshN+ Hugh Richards
that setting aside all manner of excuse and they be and appear in proper person before the judge of our of August at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein The United States are plaintiffs
and William Esdel defendant on the
part of the defendent and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court the
town of St. Louis , this eleventh day of August in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred twentyyearday of
the Independence of United States the forty forty fifth Clerk, st. L. C.C.

Excuted this writ
on Hugh Richards vs
on the 10th Aug.
on Andrew thom
pson this 12th on
Mr. Braud the 14th or
then
not found

John K. Walker
DShff

Service$ 132non est50travel6$ 1.88

for

Fransois Andrew Thompson Mr Braud
Hugh RichardsForthwith for Defandent

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of S Louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Louie Hammond that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit court on the 14th day of August at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein The United States are palintiffs, and William Easdale is defendant on the part of the Defendant and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of St. Louis , this Eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth.
A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Executed this writ on L Ham
mond on the 14th August he is confirmed to best by diclesily and commnon

John R. Walker DShff

Service33travel336

for

L. Hammond
14th Augt for deft

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of S louis county-Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Jas B. Pearman that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit court on the 14th day of Augt at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein The United States one plaintiffs and William Easdale defendant on the part of the Deft and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of St. Louis , this 12th day of Augt in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of the Indenpendence of the United States the forty fifth. A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

for Pearman

14th Augt for Deft

Served this
writ on James
B Pearson
having a copy here of at Wm.
(his
of residence) in
the Township of
on
the 12th august 1820

John K Walker DShff

Service33Travel108$1.41

3

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the sheriff of S Louis county..Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Elisha J Beebe Peter
Ferguson Paul Andreson Reuben Neal that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the Judge of our circuit courton theforthwithday of at the town of St. Louis , then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said court, wherein The United states are palintiffs and William Easdale defednat on the part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at the town of St. Louis , this 14th day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth. A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Served this writ on Elisha S.
Beebe Peter Fergu
son & Reuben Neal
in St. Louis County 14th August 1820 by there acknow
ledging service hereof & on Paul Anderson same place
& day by reading

McGirk D .Shff

$ 4 serving$ 1.329$ 141

for

E J. Beebe Peter Ferguson Paul Anderson Reuben Neal forthwith

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of St Louis County ... Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Robert Preston
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit courton theforthwithday of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein The United States plaintiff
and William Easdale is defendant on the
part of the plts and have you then there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14th day of Augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

Returned with

non est 30 cts

for

Robert Preston
Forthwith

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of Robert Preston county ... Greeting.

You are hereby commanded
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay you be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit courton theforthwithday of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now pending in our said
court, wherein the United States are plaintiff
and Wm Easdale defendant on the
part of the Plaintiffs and have you then there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14th day of augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

I acknowledge the service of the withing supena
by William Hempstead this
fourteenth day of August 1820

Robert Preston

To

Robert Preston

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of S Louis county ... Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Francis Denes & Pascal
Denel
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit courton theforthwithday of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy now binding in our said
court, wherein The United States are plaintiff
and William Easdale defendant on the part of the part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14 day of Augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.

Easdale

Francis Dinel Pascal Dinel forthwith
for Pllfs

Served this writ
on Francis Dinel in St. Louis Township14th August 1820 Pascal Dinel not
found in my-
County

Isaac C. McGirk Dsff

Missouri Territory, St. Louis County. ssThe United States of
America , to the sheriff of said county-Greeting.

We command you to attach Andrew Thompson
if he may be found within your bailiwick, and bring him
forthwith before the judge of our circuit court now sitting at the
town of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of America , touching a certain
contempt by him committed, in not attending as a witness in
the case of United States as
palintiff and William E-asdale.
defendant on the part of the Dfendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then
there this writ.

Witness A gamble clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis , this 14th
day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty, and
of our independence the forty fifith.

Executed this writ on Andrew
Thomp
son & him in court 14 th August 1820

John K Walker
Dshff
Service $ 1.00

Attach

for

Andrew Thompson >

Missouri Territory, St. Louis County.
Ss.The United States of
America , to the sheriff of said county-Greeting.

We command you to attach Arthur Maginis if he may be found within your bailiwick, and bring him
forthwith before the judge of our circuit court now sitting at the
town of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of America , touching a certain
contempt by him committed, in not attending as a witness in
the case of United States
plaintiff and William Easdale
defendant on the part of the Defendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then there this writ.

Witness A Gamble clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis , this 14th
day of august in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty, and
of our independence the forty fifth Archibald Gamble clerk.

Attd

for

Arthur Maqinis

Arthur Maginis is now in court
14th august 1820

McGirk
Dshff$ 1

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of St Louis county...Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Arthur Maginis and Eleazer
Block
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court,on theday of at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of cortroversy now pending in our said
court, wherein The United States are plaintiffs
and William Easdale defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this fourteenth day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth. Clerk, St. L . C.C.

A. Maginis
El. Block

Executed this
writ by reading
it to the two wit
nesses by reading
it to them in the
town of St. Louis
14th august 1820

Jos. C. Brown

service66travel672

Territory of Missouri County of St Louis SSThe United States of
America To the constable ofSheriff of
StLouis County greeting,

You are hereby commanded that
you bring forthwith before our circuit
court for the said County now holden in
the Town of StLouis . the body of James
Watt now confined in the Jail of your
said County. to testifyin suit wherein the
United States are Plaintiffs and William
Esdel defendant on the part of the defen
dant and have you then and there
this writ.

Witness Archibald Gamble Clerk
of our said circuit in open court this 14th day of August 1820

Archibald Gamble Clerk

Executed this writ
by bringing the body
of the witness named
James Watt in to court
as hereby commanded
St. Louis August 14th 1820

Mc Girk
DSffs

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct.The United States of America ,To the Sheriff of StLouis county... Greeting.

You are hereby commanded to summon Major Moore
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and apear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court,on the day offorthwith at the town of St. Louis ,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of cortroversy now pending in our said
court, wherein The United States are plaintiffs
and wuilliam Esdel defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

Witness, Archibald Gamble . Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this fifteenth day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C.C.

for
Major Moore
forthwith
Majr Moore
not found

John K . Walker
DShffnon Est 50 cts

Missouri Territory,
St. Louis County.
SsThe United States of
America , to the sheriff of said county- Greeting.

We command you to attach Samuel Hammond if he may be found within your bailiwick and bring him
forthwith before the judge of our circuit court now setting at the
town of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of America , touching a certain
contempt by committed in not attending as a witness in
the case of United States
plaintiff and William Easdale
defendant, on the part of the Defendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then
there this writ.

Witness A Gamble clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis , this 15
day of Augt in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and Twenty and
of our independence the Forty Fifth A Gamble Clk

Executed this
writ -
owing to
his being in
disposed
not bring him
into court
15th August
1820

John K Walker
DshffService $ 1.00

for

S Hammond

Col Hammond
is indisposed
and considered

Missouri Territory
, St. Louis County.
Ss.The United States of
America , to the sheriff of said county-Greeting.

We command you to attach James L Given if he may be found within your bailiwiick, and bring
forthwith before the judge of our circuit court now sitting at the
town of St. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of America , touching a certain
contempt by him committed, in not attending as a witness in
the case of United States are
plaintiff and William Easdale
defendant on the part of the Defendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then
there this writ.

Witness A Gamble clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis , this 15th
day of Augt in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty, and
of our independence the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk

Executed this & have the within
>supplied>named Jas L
Given in court 15th August 1820

Jos. C Brown Shff

Service1travel.051.05

for
Jas S Given

A

We find the defendant not not guilty of the first count
in the indictment (viz) not guilty of stealing the
Beaver & raccoon a we find him guilty of part the second
count (viz) for receiving three packs of Beaver of
One hundred pounds each in all weighing three
hundred pounds at two fifty
cents per pound $ 7.50. & of receiving raccoon skins we do not find him quiety the

beaver we are of opinion
say 300.00 said to be now in the hands of
J. R. Guy Esqr to be subject to
the order of the Missouri Fur Co.

James Clemens Ss Foreman

fornew
trial and in
of .

filed Augt17th
1820

A Gamble Clk

And the said
William Easdale that the
verdict aforeaid may be set aside
and a new trial awarded in
the premises and for reason
the following.

1 The Court it is believed erred
in the record the con
sideration of the slave George to
be read in evidence on the trial of Easdale
as competent evidence to prove the
beaver had been stolen.

2 It is believed the Ccourt erred in
refusing to instruct the jury that if
thenames of the persons
the fur company were provided to them
they must acquit the prisoner

3 The verdict is against law and evidence
in this that there was no evidence
to shew Easdale recieved the goods of George and is this that there was no
evidence that Easdale knew the furrs
had been stolen. And that there was
no
color of as to two recieved

4 the verdict is against the weight of
evidence in this that then was so
much proof of Easdale buying furrs
of different persons as to all
of his having received them and buying
and receiving are distinct offences under the
statute. And also in this that the
of Preston , which was the pnly proof to
the point of receiving was
contradicted is so many points
is, wholly to it.

Barton

And the dependant also prays that
judgment on the verdict aforesaid may
be stayed and arrested. Because there
is a misjoinder of distinct offences is the
said indictment and because a
man is not indictable as for receiving stolen goods of a slave the offence being
otherwise and because
the said prosecution ought to be in the
name of the State of Missouri .

Barton