Livingston, Edward

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 USD

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Description

A System of Penal Law for the United States of America: Consisting of a Code of Crimes and Punishments; A Code of Procedure in Criminal Cases; A Code of Prison Discipline; and a Book of Definitions. [Bound with:] Introductory Report to The Code of Reform and Prison Discipline.Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1828; New Orleans: Benjamin Levy, [circa 1826]
paper, ink, leather

Tall 4to (12 x 8 in.; 305 x 205 mm). Some browning. Modern half calf over marbled paper covered boards.

Literature

Cohen "Bibliography of Early American Law" 10311; Hicks "Men and Books Famous in the Law" 180; Sabin 41617

Catalogue Note

First edition of the first significant American contribution to the creation of an enlightened and fair system of penal laws: this copy bound with a related rare New Orleans imprint.

Livingston had previously written a code for his home state of Louisiana (1824), but like that code this proposal for a national code of criminal procedure was also not enacted into law. However, this work, heavily influenced by the writings of Jeremy Bentham, quickly gained recognition for its emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation over revenge, and is one of the great early American works on jurisprudence.