“SOME OF THE HEAVIEST FEES OF ANY LAWYER IN THE COUNTRY”: AUTOGRAPH LETTER BY NEW YORK LAWYER DAVID OGDEN

OGDEN, David B. Autograph letter signed to the Honorable Morgan Lewis. New York, October 22, 1818. Single sheet, written on one side, measuring 7-3/4 by 7-1/2 inches. $1100.

Original letter of introduction, written and signed by one of the most eminent attorneys in the country, to the former Governor of New York.

David B. Ogden’s chief fame “arose from his practice before the Supreme Court. With a great fund of legal learning, he was able to present his cases with remarkable directness and simplicity of statement. Marshall said of him that ‘when he stated his case, it was already argued’ (Warren, 304). From [his first Supreme Court appearance in 1812] until his final case in 1845, he was in constant demand and received some of the heaviest fees of any lawyer in the country” (DAB). This is a letter of introduction for a Presbyterian minister to Morgan Lewis, former Governor of New York.

Small diagonal smudge (not affecting text). Fine condition.