the Library of Congress 1815 catalogue, but was later marked missing, and included in the manuscript list of missing books.
The entry was subsequently dropped from the catalogues.
Sir John Comyns, d. 1740, barrister of Lincoln’s Inn, eventually became lord chief baron of the Exchequer. This work was originally written
in “law French” and was translated and published in 1762-7.
Samuel Rose, 1677-1804, [
i.e. “1767-1804”--
Ed.] English and Scottish lawyer. This is his first edition of Comyns’
Digest.
[1793]
J. 29
M.S. abr.
fol.
1815 Catalogue, page 78. no. 180, as above.
MERCER,
John.
Abridgment of the Public Acts.
Manuscript on watermarked paper, written on 356 leaves (712 numbered pages) measuring 14 by 9⅜ inches, by several hands; a
fwe leaves missing, and several repaired. 18th century.
Library of Congress
Handbook of Manuscripts, page 505, no. 15.
Rebound in calf, red morocco label on the back, lettered:
MS. /
Abridgment; also with a paper label lettered:
Mercer, John Va. /
Abridgement of /
public acts etc. /
1737.
For printed editions of Mercer’s Abridgment see no. 1871 and 1872.
[1794]
J. 30
M.S. abr.
p. 4
to.
1815 Catalogue, page 78. no. 10, as above.
Abridgment of the Common Law.
Manuscript written by a 17th century hand, on both sides of 182 leaves, 364 numbered pages, 4to, measuring 7⅞ by 6 inches;
followed by 9 pages of Index.
Library of Congress
Handbook of Manuscripts, page 505, no. 17.
Rebound in calf, with label on the back lettered
Law /
Notes. All the leaves are badly discolored and some are torn and crumbling. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
The manuscript appears to be imperfect at the beginning in that it opens with Forfeiture, chap. 26. It has been in this condition
for a long time, as the pagination, beginning with 1, is in an old hand.
[1795]
J. 31
Opinions of learned counsel
p. 4
to.
M.S.
1815 Catalogue, page 78. no. 11, as above.
Opinions of Learned Counsel.
Manuscript of the 17th and 18th centuries, on paper, 4to. measuring 6 x 7¾ inches, 2 parts, 70 leaves, the second part in
the autograph of Sir John Randolph.
Library of Congress
Handbook of Manuscripts, page 505, no. 12.
Calf, label on the back lettered
Opinions. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
From the library of Sir John Randolph, whose name with that of
Benbow Welsh and later
Peyton Randolph Esquire, is written on the fly-leaf.
The manuscript is divided into two parts. The pages of the first part are numbered 1-31, and contain opinions of counsel on
affairs relating to the colony of Virginia and its inhabitants, with dates from 1681 to 1721. The two following leaves are
numbered 32-35, and contain the opinion of Nathaniel Pigot of the Middle Temple, with dates from 23 November 1693 to 5 March
1721/2. The next 52 leaves are in the handwriting of Sir John Randolph, and contain cases beginning with the
Term(
~
m)
. Pasche Anno I
o. Geo
(
~r
)
. in Banco Regis. The manuscript is signed by Sir John at the end:
These notes are drawn over at large in a fol
o. book and contin
d. further on p J. R.
Sir John Randolph, 1693-1736/7, King’s attorney of Virginia, was born at Turkey Island in Henrico County, Virginia. He became a celebrated lawyer, and was Speaker of the House of Burgesses. He collected a remarkable library, which he willed to his son Peyton Randolph; and many of the books and manuscripts came later into the library of Thomas Jefferson. With the intention of writing a history of the laws of Virginia, he gathered many documents and manuscripts on the subject. These were later used by his nephew, William Stith, the historian of Virginia, q.v.
[1796]
