Whereas Thomas HempsteadThomas Hempstead & Joshua PilcherJoshua Pilcher of the town of
St LouisSt Louishath this day given information upon oath to me JohnJohn R Guy R. GuyJohn R Guy
a justice of the peace within and for the county of St. LouisSt 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 HempsteadThomas Hempstead in
the town of St. LouisSt Louis& county of St. LouisSt Louis and that the said Thos HempsteadThomas Hempstead & Joshua PilcherJoshua 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 EsdaleWilliam Esdale
in the town of St. LouisSt 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 EsdaleWilliam Esdale at St. LouisSt Louisaforesaid 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

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

Service	100
Aresting Body	50
travel	10
	$ 1.60

Know all men by these that we
William EsdaleWilliam Esdale & Robert WattRobert Watt are held and
boundunto the UnitedUnited States StatesUnited States of AmericaAmerica
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 WilliamWilliam Esdale
EsdaleWilliam Esdale do appear at the Circuit CourtCircuit Court & or the
CountyCounty of St Louis ofCounty of St Louis St. LouisCounty of St Louis on the first monday in August 1820to St louisSt 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

William EsdaleWilliam Esdale bond $ 1500,

We the undersigned acknowledge ourselves
and each of us seperately and apart from each
other in proper persons to stand indebted
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
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 LouisSt Louis
on the first mondayof the present month
& there to give such evidence as he knoweth
on behalf of the United StatesUnited States against a certain
William EsdaleWilliam 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.

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 PilsherJoshua Pilsher , Thos HempsteadThomas Hempstead , MichaelMichael HughHugh
Richards, EphraimJ White, Robert
AndrewAndrew 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

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

witness

You are hereby commanded to sumon James BJames 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. 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 United StatesUnited States are plaintiff and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale is defendant on the part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

for Defendant

james B Pearman
not found in

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

Executed to

Service	25
milage	10
	35

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 UnitedUnited States[ United StatesState ]
is plaintiff and Mr. Esdal defendent on the
part of the defendent

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

Services	34 1/2
Milage	15
	52 1/2

receiveing

Stolen goods
A
Paul
foreman
Plead not guilty

StSt Louis. LouisSt Louis county to wit. The Jurors for the
UnitedUnited States StatesUnited States of AmericaAmericaupon their oath
present that WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale late of the
said county of St. LouisSt Louis stable on the
first day of July in the year of our Lord onethousand eight hundred an twenty, with
and arms, at the county of St. LouisSt 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 âThe
MissouriMissouri Fur Company Fur CompanyMissouri 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 AmericaAmerica

And the Jurors aforesaid upon their
oath aforesaid do further present that the
said WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale , in the first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, with and ,

at St. LouisSt 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 âThe Missouri FurMissouri Fur Company CompanyMissouri Fur Company " (but whose particular names are to the jurors aforesiad as yet unknown)
lately before feloniously stolen, taken &away by oneGeorgeGeorge the slave of
be the saidWilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale 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 StatesUnited States of AmericaAmerica.

You are hereby commanded to summon Gaston SoulardRobertRobert Watt
WattRobert Watt JamesJames Hill Joseph WhiteJoseph 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. 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 Staes are plaintiffs,
and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale is defendant on the
part of the defendt and have you then and there this writ.

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

	1.32
	12
	$1.44

for

You are hereby commanded to summon FrancisAndrewAndrew Thompson Wm. Braud JoshN+ HughHugh 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. 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 WilliamWilliam Esdel defendant on the
part of the defendent and have you then and there this writ.

Excuted this writ
on HughHugh RichardsRichards vs
on the 10th Aug.
on AndrewAndrew thom
pson this 12th on
Mr. Braud the 14th or
then
not found

Service	$ 132
non est	50
travel	6
	$ 1.88

for

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. 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 palintiffs, and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale is defendant on the part of the Defendant and have you then and there this writ.

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

Service	33
travel	3
	36

for

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. 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 one plaintiffs and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale defendant on the part of the Deft and have you then and there this writ.

for Pearman

14th Augt for Deft

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

Service	33
Travel	108
	$1.41

3

You are hereby commanded to summon Elisha J Beebe PeterPeter
Ferguson Paul Andreson ReubenReuben 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. 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 states are palintiffs and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale defednat on the part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

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

$ 4 serving	$ 1.32
	9
	$ 141

for

You are hereby commanded to summon Robert PrestonRobert 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. 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 WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale is defendant on the
part of the plts and have you then there this writ.

Returned with

non est 30 cts

for

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. 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 Wm EasdaleWilliam Easdale defendant on the
part of the Plaintiffs and have you then there this writ.

I acknowledge the service of the withing [ supena ]
by WilliamWilliam HempsteadHempstead this
fourteenth day of August 1820

To

You are hereby commanded to summon FrancisFrancis 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. LouisSt 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 StatesUnited States are plaintiff
and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale defendant on the part of the part of the plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

Easdale

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

We command you to attach AndrewAndrew ThompsonThompson
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. 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 United StatesUnited States as
palintiff and WilliamWilliam 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.

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

Attach

for

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. 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 United StatesUnited States
plaintiff and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale
defendant on the part of the Defendant after being
legally summoned by the sheriff of said county, and have you then there this writ.

Attd

for

Arthur Maginis is now in court
14th august 1820

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. 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 WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

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. LouisSt Louis
14th august 1820

service	66
travel	6
	72

You are hereby commanded that
you bring forthwith before our circuit
court for the said County now holden in
the Town of StLouisSt Louis . the body of JamesJames Watt
WattJames Watt now confined in the Jail of your
said County. to testifyin suit wherein the
UnitedUnited States StatesUnited States are Plaintiffs and WilliamWilliam
[ Esdel ] defendant on the part of the defen
dant and have you then and there
this writ.

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

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

You are hereby commanded to summon Major MooreMoore
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. 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 wuilliam [ Esdel ] defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then and there this writ.

for
Major MooreMoore
forthwith
MajrMooreMoore
not found

We command you to attach Samuel HammondSamuel 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. 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 committed in not attending as a witness in
the case of United StatesUnited States
plaintiff and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale
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 this
writ -
owing to
his being in
disposed
not bring him
into court
15th August 1820

for

Col Hammond
is indisposed
and considered

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. 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 United StatesUnited States are
plaintiff and WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale
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 this & have the within
>supplied>named Jas L
Given in court 15th August 1820

Service	1
travel	.05
	1.05

for
Jas S Given

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 FurMissouri Fur Company Co.

fornew
trial and in
of .

filed Augt17th 1820

And the said
WilliamWilliam EasdaleEasdale 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 GeorgeGeorge to
be read in evidence on the trial of EasdaleEasdale
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 EasdaleEasdale recieved the goods of

GeorgeGeorge and is this that there was no
evidence that EasdaleEasdale 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 EasdaleEasdale 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 PrestonPreston , which was the pnly proof to
the point of receiving was
contradicted is so many points
is, wholly to it.

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 StateMissouri ofMissouri MissouriMissouri.