United States v. James Watt

Item

United States V. James Watt. 1819, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60627

Full Text: See images and transcription side by side
Case Title: United States v. James Watt
Series: Fur Trade
Plaintiff: United States of America
Defendant: Watt, James
Date Filed: 1820
Filing Date: 1820
Defendant’s Attorney: Barton, David
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1820-08
Clerk: Gamble, Archibald
Justice of the Peace: Guy, John R.
Sheriff: Brown, Joseph; Walker, John K.; McGirk, Joseph
Sworn Declarant: Pilcher, Joshua; Perkins, Joseph; Richards, Hugh; Bordeu, W.T.S.; Simonds, John Jr.; Hempstead, Thomas; Ramsey, James; Willard, Paul
Jury Foreman: Cerre, Horatio
Juror: Barton, David; McGirk, Mathias; Barton, Joshua; Benton, Thomas Hart; Geyer, Henry S.; Wash, Robert; Peck, James H.; Harper, William; Pettibone, Rufus; Hempstead, Charles S.
Cause of Action: Larceny; Receiving Stolen Goods
Case Notes: Receiving stolen beaver and raccoon skins from George (slave of Manuel Lisa, deceased); furs property of Missouri Fur Company; appeal by James Watt to have verdict overturned.
Case Number: 4
Related Court Case Number: 6178
Related Project ID: ccr1820.06178.052
Identifier: ccr1820.06177.042
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **United States v. James Watt**

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**Page 1** (6177_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Warrant to Arrest James Watt and Search his Dwelling and Store I*

Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis sct. U.S. of America To the constable of St Louis township
Whereas information has this day been given to me
upon the oaths of Thos Hempstead & Joshua [illegible] of St
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 Thomas
Hempstead in the county aforesaid and that the said Thomas
Hempstead & Joshua [illegible] 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 Watt at St 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 Watt at S 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 [illegible]
bring the goods so found and also the body of the said James
Watt before me or some other Justice of the peace for said
county to be disposed of and [illegible] according to [illegible]

*Given under my hand & seal at S Louis
this first day of August 1820 John R Guy J P.*

---

**Page 2** (6177_002.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

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

*For [illegible]
[illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Search | $ 100 |
| [illegible] Body [illegible] | 50 |
| [illegible] | 10 |
| | $ 1.60 |

---

**Page 3** (6177_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Samuel Willard and Others*

County of St Louis ss To the constable of St Louis township
Summon Samuel Willard, John [illegible]
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

*Given under my hand this 1st Augt 1820
John R Guy J.P.*

---

**Page 4** (6177_004.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

u s
vs
James Watts
[illegible]

*S Willard*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Excuted the within
for S. Warner
J Simmonds[?]
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 25 |
| milage[?] | 20 |
| | 45 |

---

**Page 5** (6177_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Warrant to Arrest James Watt and Search his Dwelling and Store II*

Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis ss US of America To any constable of said county
Whereas Joshua Pilsher[?] of St 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 [illegible]
feloniously taken stolen and carried away
from the dwelling house of Thomas Hemp
-stead in the town of St Louis aforesaid and
that the said Joshua 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 Watt in the
said town of St Louis
These are therefore to command and
requiring and with necessary and proper assistance to enter in the day time in to the
said house of James 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 James watt before me or some other
Justice of the said county, to be disposed of
and dealt with according to law

*given under my hand this second
day of Augt 1820 John R. Guy J.P.*

---

**Page 6** (6177_006.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

United States
vs
James Watts
Search for stolen goods
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

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

*for J Warner [illegible]
J Simonds jr*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 100 |
| Arresting Body | 50 |
| milage[?] | 10 |
| | $ 1.60 |

---

**Page 7** (6177_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Security of Witnesses*

Territory of Missouri
County of St Louis ss US of America
We the undersigned acknowledge [illegible] [illegible]
and each of us seperately and apart from each
other in our proper persons to stand in debted to
the United States of America in the sum of one
hundred Dollars to be [illegible] severally of each
of our goods and chattles lands and tenaments[?]
respectively upon the following conditions
The conditions of this [illegible] 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 Louis
on the first monday of the present month
then and them to give such evidance as he
knoweth on behalf of the United States against
a certain James Watt on a certain charge of
having acquired stolen goods knowing them to
be stolen wherewith the said James 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

*Joshua Pilcher[?]
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
Joseph Perkins
[illegible] Richards W.T.S. [illegible] John Simonds Signed and acknowledged
before me a justice of
the peace this fourth
Day of Aug 1820
John R. Guy J P*

---

**Page 8** (6177_008.jpg)
Aug 1st
[illegible]
returned
forthwith
> *Legal Function: Caption*

United States
vs
John Watt
Warrant to search for stolen goods
found in the defendants house 33 beaver
skins the body in custody
Joshua Pilsher[?] Thomas Hempstead and Richards
[illegible] and examined the witness not being able to
identify any of the skins the prisoner was discharged
August 2nd in the oath of Joshua Pilsher[?] a second search
warrant for the house of the defendants which was returned
forthwith with about 3. or 400 [illegible] of beaver skins and
the body in custody when Joshua Pilsher[?] Joseph Perkins
W.J.S. Bordon Cyrus Curtis . Michael 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 jail Augt 2
I certify that the above is a correct abstract of the
[illegible]the proceeding had before me in the above
case

*Augt 5th 1820 John R Guy J.P.*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Justices fees | $ 5.93 3/4 |
| [illegible] | 1.60 |
| | $ 7.53 3/4 |
> *Legal Function: caption*

United States
vs
James Watt

---

**Page 9** (6177_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Indictment for Larceny and Receiving Stolen Goods*

August 1820
The United States
vs
James Watt
Indictment for Larceny
and receiving
Stolen Goods

*H. True bill
Paul Andderson[?]
foreman
pleads N.G.*
> *Legal Function: Witness Certification*

Witness

*Joseph Pilsher[?]
Thos Hempstead
J Ramsay
Michl E.[?] [illegible]
Joseph Perkins
H Richards
W .T.S. Boredeu
John Simonds Jr .
C. Curtis
John Barkes
Paul Williard[?]*

---

**Page 10** (6177_010.jpg)

---

**Page 11** (6177_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Findings of the Grand Jury*

August Term 1820 In the Circuit Court
St Louis County to wit:
The Jurrors[?] for the United States of
America for their oath present that James Watt late
of the aforesaid County 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 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 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
[illegible] to the form of the statute in such case made &
provided & against the peace and dignity of the United
States of America .
And the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid
do further present that the said James 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 Louis
in the county aforesaid unlawfully and unjustly did receive
and have, a large quantity of beaver skins [illegible]
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 Fur company" (but whose particular
names are as yet to the Jurors aforesaid unknown) the
lately before feloniously,[?] stolen, taken, and carried away

---

**Page 12** (6177_012.jpg)
by one George the slave of
Manuel Liza , he the said James
Watt then and there [illegible] 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 State of America

*E Bates*

---

**Page 13** (6177_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Samule D. Woollard*

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. To the Sheriff of S Louis county--Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon [illegible]
Samuel . 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiffs
and James Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at the
town of St. Louis , this Eleventh day of August in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty and of
the Independence of the United States the forty fifth
A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 14** (6177_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ
on S.D.Woolard
on the 12th Aug
1820 at the Court
house

*John K Walker
D Shff service 33 cents*
U States
vs
James Watt
Samuel D Woolard
for
[illegible]
forthwith for
Defendant

---

**Page 15** (6177_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America , To the Sheriff of S Louis county ...Greeting.
YOU are hereby commanded to summon Francis Dinel &
Pascal 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiff
and James Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 14th day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 16** (6177_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

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

*Isaac C. Mc Girk
D Sffs*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| 1 service | 33 |
| 1 non Est | 50 |
| | 83 cts |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U. States
vs
James Watt
for

*Francis Dinel
Pascal Dinel
forthwith for
Plaintiff*

---

**Page 17** (6177_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Cyrus Curtis, John Backus and Samuel D. Woolard*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America , To the Sheriff of S Louis county ...Greeting.
YOU are hereby commanded to summon Cyrus Curtis John 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiffs
and James Watt is defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 15th day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 18** (6177_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U.S.
vs
James Watts
for

*x Cyrus Curtis
x John Backus
xSaml D Woolard
forthwith for
Plaintiff*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ
on Samuel D
Woolard by read
ing& on
John
Backus by leaving
a copy hereof
at his residence
in the Town of
S Louis with [illegible]
Davis not found
in my County 15th
August 1820
Cyrus Curtis not found in my county 15th
August 1820

*I.C. Mc Grik
D Sffs*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| 2 services | 66 |
| 1 non east | 50 |
| travel | 6 |
| | $ 1.22 |

---

**Page 19** (6177_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion for a Jury from the County*

U . States
vs
James Watt
An Indictment for Larceny
& receiving stolen goods
James 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 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

*James watt
Sworn to before
me augt 15 1820
A Gamble Clk*

---

**Page 20** (6177_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U. States
vs
James Walt
Filed augt 15th 1820

*A Gamble clk*

---

**Page 21** (6177_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for James Kennerty and William Savage*

Territory of Missouri ,
Country of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis county...Greeting.
YOU are hereby commanded to summon James 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St.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 plaintiffs
and James Watt defendant on the
part of the pltfs and have you then this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis ,this 16th day of augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St.L. C. C.*

---

**Page 22** (6177_022.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U . States
vs
James Watt
for

*James Kennerty
William Savage
forthwith for
plaintiff*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Excuted this
writ on James
Kennerly and
William Savage
on the 11th Au
gust 1820 in
St Louis

*John K Walker
D shff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 16 |
| travel | 6 |
| | 72 cts |

---

**Page 23** (6177_023.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Joseph Labage*

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America , To the Sheriff of St Louis county... Greeting.
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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 States are plaintiffs
and James Watt is defendant on the
part of the Defdnt and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 16th day of august
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 24** (6177_024.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ
on Joseph
Laberge[?] by read
ing in S Louis
Townships 16th
August 1820

*M. Mc Girk
Dsff
Service 30
cts*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U .States
vs
Watt
for Josh Lebage
forthwith for
Deft

---

**Page 25** (6177_025.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Peter Kincaid*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis county...Greeting.
YOU are hereby commanded to summon Peter 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 forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiffs
and James Watt defendant on the
part of the defendant and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this Sixteenth day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United Sates the forty fifth A gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 26** (6177_026.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

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

*M. McGirk
Dsff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 33 cts |
| Travel | 6 |
| | $ 39 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U S
vs Spa Jas Watt
for

*Peter Kinkaid
forthwith*

---

**Page 27** (6177_027.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Abraham Beck, Hugh O'Neil, Jeremy Connor and Peter Halderman*

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of St Louis county...Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Abraham Beck
Hugh O Neil Jer Connor Peter 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiffs
and James Watt defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then and there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 16th day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St.L. C. C.*

---

**Page 28** (6177_028.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ on
Hugh Oneil[?] &
Peter Halderman
in the Town of
St Louis by reading
16th August 1820
& on Abraham Beck
same day & place
by reading
Jeramiah[?] Connor
not found in my
county 16th August
1820

*M . Mc Girk Dsff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| 3 Services | 99 cts |
| 1 non est | 50 |
| travel | 6 |
| | $ 1.65 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U.S
vs
Watt
for

*Abr[?] Beck
Hugh O Neil
Jer Connor
Peter Halderman[?]
forthwith for
Deft*

---

**Page 29** (6177_029.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Masey Davis*

Territory of Missouri , County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of St. Louis couty...Greeting.
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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiffs
and James Watt is defendant on the
part of the plaintiff Deft and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis ,this 16th day of Augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 30** (6177_030.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U S
vs
Jas Watt
for
Masey Daves
forthwith
for Deft
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

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

*John K Walker
Dshff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 33 cts |
| Travel | 6 |
| | $ .39 cts |

---

**Page 31** (6177_031.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Robert Watt*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of St Louis county...Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Robert 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 States are plaintiffs
and James Watt in defendant on the
part of the Deft and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , clerk of our said circuit court,at
the town of St.Louis , this 16th day of August
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St.L.C. C.*

---

**Page 32** (6177_032.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

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

*John K Walker
Dftt*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Server | 33 cts |
| Travel | 6 |
| | 39 cts |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U.States
vs
Jas Watt
for
Robert Watt
forthwith for
Deft

---

**Page 33** (6177_033.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Order to Arrest Louis D. Woolard for Contempt of Court*

Missouri Territory,
St. Louis County.
ss The United States of
America , to the Sheriff of said County- Greeting.
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. Louis , within and for the county of St. Louis , then there
to answer unto the United States of America , touching a certain
contempt by him committed in not attending as a witness in
the case of the
United States are
Plaintiff and James 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..

*Witness A Gamble clerk of our
said court, at the town of St. Louis this 16th
day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty , and
of our independence the forty fifth A Gamble Clk*

---

**Page 34** (6177_034.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

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

*John K Walker
D Shff
[illegible] $ 1.00*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

U.States
vs
James Watts
for
Saml D Woolard
[illegible]

---

**Page 35** (6177_035.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Summons for Jabez Warner*

Territory of Missouri ,
County of St. Louis , sct. The United States of America ,
To the Sheriff of S Louis county...Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Jabez 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 the forthwith day of at the town of St. 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 plaintiff
and James Watt defendant on the
part of the Plaintiff and have you then there this writ.

*Witness, Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit court, at
the town of St. Louis , this 16th day of Augt
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
and of the Independence of the United States the forty fifth A Gamble Clerk, St. L . C. C.*

---

**Page 36** (6177_036.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

Served this writ on
Jabez Warner
in S Louis Town
[illegible] by reading
16th August 1820

*M Mc Girk
D Sff*
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| Service | 33 |
| [illegible] | 6 |
| | 39 |
> *Legal Function: Caption*

[illegible]
vs
Watt
for

*Jabez Warner
forthwith for
plaintiff*

---

**Page 37** (6177_037.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury for the Trial of James Watt II*

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

*Cerré Foreman[?]
[illegible]*

---

**Page 38** (6177_038.jpg)

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**Page 39** (6177_039.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Verdict for the Trial of James Watt II*

We the Jury find the prisoner J.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

---

**Page 40** (6177_040.jpg)
David Barton 2
Mathias Mc Girk 3
Joshua Barton ...6
Thomas H Benton 5
Henry S.Geyer 6
Robert Wash 1
James H Peck 9
William Harper 9
Rufus Pettibone 8
Charles S Hempstead 4
Horatio Cerré[?] 10

---

**Page 41** (6177_041.jpg)
> *Legal Function: James Watt's Motion for a New Trial*

St Louis Circuit August Term 1820
James Watt
[illegible]
U States
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 [illegible] 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 Missouri 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

*D Barton for J Walt*
> *Legal Function: James Watt's Motion for a New Trial, part 2*

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 " Missouri 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

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**Page 42** (6177_042.jpg)
knowingly, hath been repealed without any [illegible] or
provision for said offence whatever.

*D.Barton for Deft*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

James Watt
[illegible]
United States
Reasons for a
new trial & in
arrest of Judgment

*Filed Aug 17 1820 A Gamble Clk*
Victim: Hemp, Thomas

Item sets: All Circuit Court Records; Circuit Court Cases; St. Louis Fur Trade Cases, 1800 - 1834

United States V. James Watt. 1819, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60627