Whereas information has this day been given to me
upon the oaths of ThosThomas Hempstead HempsteadThomas Hempstead & JoshuaJoshua of StSt Louis
LouisSt Louis that in the month of July 1820 a quatity of Beaver
Racoon &c nearby some person or persons unknown previously
taken stolen and carried away from the dwelling house of ThomasThomas Hempstead
HempsteadThomas Hempstead in the county aforesaid and that the said ThomasThomas Hempstead
HempsteadThomas Hempstead & JoshuaJoshua have probable cause to suspect
and do suspect that the said goods or a part thereof are consealed
in the dwelling House or store the property of David Burton
& now occupied by James WattJames Watt at St LouisSt Louis a said county

These are therefore to authorise & require you with necessary
and proper assistance to enter in the day time into the of the said
James WattJames Watt at S LouisS Louis aforesaid in the county aforesaid and
there diligently to search for the said goods and of the same or
any part thereof shall be found upon such search that
bring the goods so found and also the body of the said JamesJames Watt
WattJames Watt before me or some other Justice of the peace for said
county to be disposed of and according to

made diligent search
at the house JamesJames Watt
WattJames Watt and found
thirty three Beaver
skins and also took
the Body of the said
Watts in custody
august 1st 1820

Search	$ 100
Body	50
	10
	$ 1.60

Summon Samuel Willard, John
that he be and appear before me at my office forthwith
to give evidence in a case them depending in which
the united states is plaintiff and James Watts defendant
on the part of the defendant

Excuted the within
for S. Warner
J Simmonds

Service	25
milage	20
	45

Whereas Joshua PilsherJoshua Pilsher of St LouisSt Louis hath this
Day given information upon an oath to me a justice
of the peace within and for the said county that
the following goods and chattles to wit Eighteen
pack of beaver skins and two pack of Racoon
skins have within sixty days last partly
some person or persons unknown
feloniously taken stolen and carried away
from the dwelling house of ThomasThomas Hemp
-stead in the town of St LouisSt Louis aforesaid and
that the said Joshua PilsherJoshua Pilsher hath probable
cause to suspect and doth suspect that
the goods or part thereof is concealed in the
house or store occupied by James WattJames Watt in the
said town of St LouisSt Louis

These are therefore to command and
requiring and with necessary and properassistance to enter in the day time in to the
said house of James WattJames Watt aforesaid and there
diligently search for the said good and
if the same or any part thereof be found
upon such search that you bring the
goods so found and also the body of the
said JamesJames watt before me or some other
Justice of the said county, to be disposed of
and dealt with according to law

Search for stolen goods

Excuted By making
Dilliagent search and found by
opening a trap Door Behind the
counter in the store of the said
WattWatt a quantity of Beaver
supposed to be about three
Hundred lbs weight

Service	100
Arresting Body	50
milage	10
	$ 1.60

We the undersigned acknowledge
and each of us seperately and apart from each
other in our proper persons to stand in debted to
the United StatesUnited States of AmericaAmerica in the sum of one
hundred Dollars to be severally of each
of our goods and chattles lands and tenaments
respectively upon the following conditions

The conditions of this and is such
that if each of the undersigned do personally
appear at the next circuit court to be holden
within and for the county of Saint LouisSt Louis
on the first monday of the present month
then and them to give such evidance as he
knoweth on behalf of the United StatesUnited States against
a certain James WattJames Watt on a certain charge of
having acquired stolen goods knowing them to
be stolen wherewith the said James WattJames Watt is
charged and that neither he nor either of
them do depart without leave of said court
then there recognizances to be said else to remain
in full force

Aug 1st

returned
forthwith

Warrant to search for stolen goods
found in the defendants house 33 beaver
skins the body in custody

Joshua PilsherJoshua Pilsher ThomasThomas Hempstead HempsteadThomas Hempstead and RichardsRichards
and examined the witness not being able to
identify any of the skins the prisoner was discharged
August 2nd in the oath of Joshua PilsherJoshua Pilsher a second search
warrant for the house of the defendants which was returned
forthwith with about 3. or 400 of beaver skins and
the body in custody when Joshua PilsherJoshua Pilsher JosephJoseph Perkins PerkinsJoseph Perkins
W.J.S. Bordon Cyrus CurtisCyrus Curtis . MichaelMichael C. Sammuel J Simmonds
and others were sworn and examined after which the
prisoner was required to give Bail in $ 25.00
but not being able to give such bail as I would
receive was committed to jailAugt 2

I certify that the above is a correct abstract of the
the proceeding had before me in the above
case

Justices fees	$ 5.93 3/4
	1.60
	$ 7.53 3/4

Indictment
for Larceny
and receiving
Stolen Goods

Witness

The Jurrors for the United StatesUnited States of
AmericaAmerica for their oath present that James WattJames Watt late
of the aforesaid County of St LouisCounty of St Louis, grocer on the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty wish force and arms at the county of St LouisSt Louis
aforesaid, Alarge quantity of Beaver skin, to wit eighteen
Packs of Beaver skins of great value to wit of the value
of three hundred dollars for each pack, of the goods &
chattles of certain person of the style and firm of the
Missouri Fur CompanyMissouri Fur Company (but whose particular names are
to the Jurors aforesaid as yet unknown) the and there
being found, feloniously did steal take and carry away
to the form of the statute in such case made &
provided & against the peace and dignity of the UnitedUnited States
StatesUnited States of AmericaAmerica.

And the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid
do further present that the said James WattJames Watt on the
first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, with force and arms, at St LouisSt Louis
in the county aforesaid unlawfully and unjustly did receive
and have, a large quantity of beaver skins
to wit, eighteen packs of Beaver skins, of great value
to wit of the value, of three hundred dollars, for each
pack and a large quantity of Racoon skins to wit two
packs of Racoon skins of great value to wit: of the
value of one hundred dollars for each pack, of the goods
and chattles of certain persons using the style and firm
of the "Missouri FurMissouri Fur Company company" (but whose particular
names are as yet to the Jurors aforesaid unknown) the
lately before feloniously, stolen, taken, and carried away

by one GeorgeGeorge the slave of ManuelManuel Lisa LizaManuel Lisa , he the said JamesJames Watt
WattJames Watt then and there knowing the same to be stolen, and
unlawfully come by, contrary to the statute in such case
made and provided and against the peace and dignity
of the United StateUnited States of AmericaAmerica

You are hereby commanded to summon
SamuelSamuel . D Woollard
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit Court on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Served this writ
on S.D.Woolard
on the 12th Aug1820 at the Court
house

Samuel D Woolard
for

forthwith for
Defendant

YOU are hereby commanded to summon Francis DinelFrancis Dinel &
PascalPascal Dinel DinelPascal Dinel
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit Court on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiff
and James WattJames Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Served this writ on
on Francis DinelFrancis Dinel
in S LouisS Louis Town
ship Pascal DinelPascal Dinel
not found in my
county14th August 1820

1 service	33
1 non Est	50
	83 cts

for

YOU are hereby commanded to summon Cyrus CurtisCyrus Curtis John BackusJohn Backus
& Saml D Woolard
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit Court on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

for

Served this writ
on Samuel D
Woolard by read
ing& on JohnJohn Backus
BackusJohn Backus by leaving
a copy hereof
at his residence
in the Town of
S LouisS Louis with
DavisDavis not found
in my County 15th August 1820
Cyrus CurtisCyrus Curtis not found in my county 15th August 1820

2 services	66
1 non east	50
travel	6
	$ 1.22

An Indictment for Larceny
& receiving stolen goods

JamesJames watt being duly sworn
being duly sworn on his oath states that he verily
belives he cannot obtain an impartial
trail by a jury of the town of St LouisSt Louis
because he belives so much projucdice has
been excited and now exists against him
in said cause that he cannot have
a fair trail by a jury of said town
he therefore prays a jury from
the County for his trail

Filed augt 15th 1820

YOU are hereby commanded to summon JamesJames Kennerty &
William Savage
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on theforthwithday of at the town of St.LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt defendant on the
part of the pltfs and have you then this writ.

for

Excuted this
writ on JamesJames Kennerly

KennerlyJames Kennerly and
William Savage
on the 11th August 1820 in
St LouisSt Louis

Service	16
travel	6
	72 cts

You are hereby commanded to summon Joseph Labage
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court,on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt is defendant on the
part of the Defdnt and have you then and there this writ.

Served this writ
on JosephJoseph Labarge
LabergeJoseph Labarge by read
ing in S LouisS Louis
Townships 16th August 1820

for Josh Lebage
forthwith for
Deft

YOU are hereby commanded to summon PeterPeter Kincaid.
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 forthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then there this writ.

Served this writ
on PeterPeter Kin
cade in the
Town of St LouisSt Louis
16th August 1820
by reading

Service	33 cts
Travel	6
	$ 39

for

You are hereby commanded to summon Abraham Beck
HughHugh O NeilJerJeremiah Connor ConnorJeremiah Connor PeterPeter Halderman
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay they be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court,on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then and there this writ.

Served this writ on
HughHugh Oneil &
PeterPeter Halderman
in the Town of
St LouisSt Louis by reading
16th August 1820
& on Abraham Beck
same day & place
by reading
JeramiahConnorConnor
not found in my
county 16th August 1820

3 Services	99 cts
1 non est	50
travel	6
	$ 1.65

for

You are hereby commanded to summon Masey Davis
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff Deft and have you then there this writ.

for
Masey Daves
forthwith
for Deft

Excuted on
Masey Daves
on the 16th August 1830
in St LouisSt Louis

Service	33 cts
Travel	6
	$ .39 cts

You are hereby commanded to summon Robert WattRobert Watt
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit court, on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiffs
and James WattJames Watt in defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then there this writ.

Excuted this
writ on Robt
Watt on the
16th August 1820

Server	33 cts
Travel	6
	39 cts

for
Robert WattRobert Watt
forthwith for
Deft

We command you to attach Louis D Woolard
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. LouisSt Louis, within and for the county of St. LouisSt Louis, then there
to answer unto the United StatesUnited States of AmericaAmerica, touching a certain
contempt by him committed in not attending as a witness in
the case of the United StatesUnited States are
Plaintiff and JamesJames Walts
defendant, on the part of the Defendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said County, and have you then
there this writ..

Executed & have
the body of
S.D.Woolard
in court on
16th August 1830

for
Saml D Woolard

You are hereby commanded to summon JabezJabez Warner WarnerJabez Warner
that setting aside all manner of excuse and delay he be and appear in proper person before the
Judge of our circuit Court on theforthwithday of at the town of St. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States plaintiff
and James WattJames Watt defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Served this writ on
Jabez WarnerJabez Warner
in S LouisS Louis Town
by reading
16th August 1820

Service	33
	6
	39

for

We the jurors find the prisoner (james WattWatt ) guilty
of the second count in the indictment, to the amount
of three packs of beaver skins.

We the Jury find the prisonerJ.W. guilty
of the second Count in the indictment to
the amount of three packs of beaver skins
and not guilty in manner and form as
charged upon him in the second
first count of said Bill of Indictment

David Barton 2

Mathias Mc GirkMcGirk 3

Joshua BartonJoshua Barton ...6

Thomas H BentonThomas H Benton 5

HenryHenry S.Geyer 6

RobertRobert Wash WashRobert Wash 1

James HJames H Peck 9

WilliamWilliam Harper 9

Rufus PettiboneRufus Pettibone 8

Charles S HempsteadCharles S Hempstead 4

Horatio Cerré 10

On Indictment for steating furs
& receiving stolen furs

The Defendant prays that the verdict in
this case may be set aside and a new trial granted
him 1 Because the verdict was given without suffi
cient evidence, and contrary to the weight of the
testimony. and because the only evidence of receiv

ing negatived the charge of his knowledge of the
property being stolen if it were so.

2 The property was not identified nor pro
ven to belong to the claiments.

3 The evidance proved that the particular
names of "the MissouriMissouri fur Company" were
known & therefore Defendant ought to have been
acquitted on this Indictment.

4 The verdict is against law & the instructions
of the Court

The Defendant also prays that the Judgment
of the Court may be staid & arrested on the verd

ict aforesaid

1 Because the names of the " MissouriMissouri fur Co" are
not shown

2 Because a Count for larceny and a count for
a misdemeanor, are joined in the same Indict

ment . which is a misjoineder.

3 The verdict of the Jury finds no value of the prop
erty received, nor whether it were restored or not.

4 Because the section of the law of 1808 defining
the punishment of receiving Stolen goods

knowingly, hath been repealed without any or
provision for said offence whatever.

Reasons for a
new trial & in
arrest of Judgment