American Fur Company v. Antoine Valliant

Item

American Fur Company V. Antoine Valliant. 1831, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60762

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Case Title: American Fur Company v. Antoine Valliant
Series: Fur Trade
Plaintiff: American Fur Company
Defendant: Valliant, Antoine
Date Filed: 1831-12-21
Filing Date: 1831-12-21
Plaintiff’s Attorney: Bussapy, W.
Court Name: St. Louis Circuit Court
Court Term: 1831-11
Clerk: Gamble, Archibald
Justice of the Peace: Garner, J.
Sheriff: Cooper, J.; Walker, John K.; Brotherton, J.; Flowers, Isaac
Sworn Declarant: Moussette, John B.; Fontaine, Felix; Michael, Amant; Morrisson, Jean Louis; Barada, Antoine; Barada, Target; Stine, Jacob
Jury Foreman: Ingram, Thomas
Cause of Action: Debt
Case Notes: Debt, account; for the hire of keelboat \Mandane.\""
Disposition: Jury verdict for plaintiff, parties settled after appeal by defendant
Identifier: ccr1831.07543.022
Source: Missouri State Archives - St. Louis
Rights: Public Domain
PDF Download: Download PDF of all images
Transcription: **American Fur Company vs. Antoine Valliant**

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**Page 1** (7543_001.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

John [illegible] Moussette[?] Dr
To the Am fur compy
hire of [illegible] [illegible] Mandane from 17th
October 1830 to [illegible] 1830 33 days at
2$ per day \$66
St Louis 21 Decbre 1830

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**Page 2** (7543_002.jpg)
No [illegible]

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**Page 3** (7543_003.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Motion for Attachment*

State of Missouri
County of St Louis
Ss
Jean Bte Sarpy being duly sworn
on his oath saith that a certain J Bte [illegible] is partly
indebted to the American Fur company on an account for
[illegible]; when of forty in a sum - that he verily believes
that the saw to and B shariff has it [illegible] himself from
the state of Missouri , as that the ordinary process of the him
them not be served [illegible]
sworn and subscribed this 18th day of February 1831
[illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]

*John Bte Sarpy*
> *Legal Function: Order*

The state of Missouri To the courtable of St Louis Township
in the county of St. Louis Greeting
You are commanded to [illegible]
Jean B choupette by all and regular his goods and
chattels monies credits or effects, or as much thereof as shall
be sufficient to secure the sumof sixty six dollars with
interest and costs writ, in whose hands or possession [illegible] [illegible]
there and may be found in their township to that the
said Jean Bte [illegible]appear before them [illegible] issued
a justice of the peace within and for the county of St
Louis at his office in the city of St Louis in the twentith
day of March next the and there before the further aforesaid [illegible]
answer to Bernard Batic to her laws [illegible] Peter Chortias
[illegible] Jean P Labame and Barthotomeu Berthold
merchant traders carrying on their part [illegible] [illegible] the [illegible]
of the American fur company in an action in the case on an
account for sixty six dollars — You are also commanded to
summon all and every person in whose hand or possession
any goods chattels, monies credits or effects of the said, [illegible] and the
I know may he found and in particular time [illegible]
that he be and appear before the said justice on the said

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**Page 4** (7543_004.jpg)
twentieth day of February to [illegible] that may [illegible]
objected [illegible] him, and here you them there, they count
and certify to our said justice how you executed [illegible]
[illegible] under [illegible] and they 18th day of Febraury 1831

*J. C. [illegible] [illegible]*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Service*

By virtue of the within Torit of attachment to me directed
I have attached all the goods chattles Money credits & effects of
the within named Jean B Moussett that is in the hands or
possession of Antoine Vaillant and summoned said
Antoine Vaillant as Garnishee to appear and answer at
the time & place within named as commanded & declared
it in the presence of Thomas Ingram & John B. Sarpy in the
city of St Louis this 19th day of February 1831

*J Cooper Const Service $ 1.00*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No. [illegible]
March 1837
[illegible] [illegible] Company
J. [illegible] [illegible]
attachment
A Vaillent [illegible]
Debt $ 66.00
Justice
sig [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible]

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**Page 5** (7543_005.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Jury Verdict*

We the Jury Find a verdict in favor
of the Plaintiffs for the full amount
of the a/c sixty six Dollars —

*Thomas Ingram &
foreman*

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**Page 6** (7543_006.jpg)

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**Page 7** (7543_007.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Plaintiff's Appeal*

Antoine Vallient[?] garnishee
vs
American Fur Company
judgement for plaintiff
appeal
Antoine Valliant the appellant being duly sworn on
[illegible] oath with the application for the appeal is not
made for the purposed [illegible] or delay but because
the affiant verily believes himself aggrieved by the
judgmentof the justice sworn to and subscribed this
8th day of November 1831
Before
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]

*by Antoine Valliant
[illegible]*

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**Page 8** (7543_008.jpg)

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**Page 9** (7543_009.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Affidavit of Antoine Valliant*

Before [illegible] O [illegible] Justice of the Peace
Antoine Valliant
garnishee of
G B [illegible]
vs
The American Fur Company
Attachment-
Judgment for Plaintiff
fee \$66.
One the undersigned AntoineValliant and [illegible] [illegible]
acknowledge ourselves indebted to Bernard Pratte John Laubador
Peter [illegible] Junior [illegible] [illegible] and Bartholomew Berthore
in a sum of one hundred dollars, to be levied our [illegible] goods
and chattels, [illegible] lands and tenants where
[illegible] Nevertheless that whereas the said Antoine
Valiant hath appealed from the judgment of [illegible]
[illegible] Justice of the peace in a certain [illegible] wherein
the said Bernard Pratte & they are Plaintiffs and the
said Antoine Valliant is garnishee. Now if the said
Antoine Valliant the appellant shall [illegible]his said appeal [illegible]
that [illegible] [illegible] by the condemnation money of all costs or
otherwise abide the Judgment of the Circuit in said
appeal, then this Recognizance to be void other wise

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**Page 10** (7543_010.jpg)
to remain in full force of Virtue
Johan & acknowledged wherefore
I tested by
J. G. Garner [illegible]
September 8th 1837

*Antoine by mark Valliant
Augustin Michel*

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**Page 11** (7543_011.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Attachment Order*

Before Joseph & Garmer a justice of the peace within
and for the county of St. Louis
The American Fur
Company
John B Mansfield
Action on the are an account
for the hire of Fleet Boat
$ 66 - first brought by attach-
ment February 18th 1837 on the affidavit of Jean Blaskey
an agent for the Plaintiffs unit of attachment sues against
the defendant returnable on the twentieth day of March
in the same Year
March 20th 1831 being the day to which the writ of attach-
ment aforesaid is made returnable, the [illegible] [illegible] the
the said writ, with this endorsement [illegible] - “By virtue of the
within writ of attachment to me directed I have attached all
the goods, Chattels money credits & effects of the witness named
Jean B [illegible] in the hands or possession of Antoine
Villant, and summoned said Antoine Villant as
Garnishee, to appear and answer at the time and
place within named as commanded, and declared it in
the presence of Thomas [illegible] and [illegible] Blaskey
the 19th day of February 1837, signed J Cooper
Constable” where upon the thirtieth day of August being
set for trial, it is [illegible] by the Justice that the plaintiffs
close advertisements to be let at [illegible] of the [illegible]
public [illegible] in the [illegible], at least forty days before
the trial day, which advertisements shall contain a notice
of the proceedings had against the defendant and
shall require him to appear before such justice and enter
the [illegible] Bail to the plaintiffs [illegible] on a before the
said day, or Judgement will be rendered against him-
and afterwards on the said thirtieth day of August before
the Justice aforesaid; by their agents and the defendants
being [illegible] hath he filed [illegible]

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**Page 12** (7543_012.jpg)
to the action aforesaid of them the said plaintiffs against
him and it appearing to the Justice upon the statement
an oath of Daniel Barby deputy countable that adver-
tisements have been put what [illegible]most humble
places in the township and notifying the said defendant
of the proceedings had against him and requiring him
to appear before [illegible] Justice on the thirtieth may in the
said month and plea J [illegible] Bail to the acting or
that Judgement with he rendered against him, and the
demand of the said plaintiffs being founded on an
account and [illegible] at sixty dollars, Judgment
is therefore rendered for the said plaintiffs against the
said defendant by his default further and [illegible] of Sixty
six dollars with [illegible] and afterwards in the
day & year and at the place aforesaid [illegible]
Antoine Valliant [illegible] aforesaid and the
plaintiffs being called were not neither have they filed
Interrogating to be put to said garnishee of motion
of said garnishee It is considered that the said plaintiffs
the putting by their said writ, to the [illegible] for
their false [illegible] and that the said garnishee
go here further day and afterwards to writ on the
first day of September within same year [illegible] the
plaintiffs aforesaid by their agent and a [illegible]
cause [illegible] the Judgment of her suit of aforesaid [illegible]
against the said plaintiffs is let aside and the [illegible]
day of the same month being [illegible] [illegible] where
for hearing and trial, and notice of the same given
on the said seventh day before the Justice aforesaid came
as well the garnishee aforesaid in [illegible] proper[illegible]
as the said plaintiffs by their agent aforesaid and an

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**Page 13** (7543_013.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Attachment Order Part 2*

the application by said garnishee for a jury of [illegible]
and by consent this case is certained to their eighth day of the
June month, at while said day before the justice aforesaid
and the parties aforesaid and thereafter at the request
aforesaid [illegible] a jury [illegible] Cory George Wm
Chahaman[?], Caleb Feur, John P Reed Thomas Engram dead
[illegible] White in good and lawful name of the township
of St Louis , while being sworn well and truly to try the
matter [illegible] between the parties aforesaid and
having heard the evidence added upon their oaths
[illegible] that they [illegible] for the plaintiffs in the hands
of the said garnishee, of the goods and chattles money
and effects of the said Baptiste show that to the sum
of Sixty six dollars — where when judgment is rendered
by the justice against the [illegible] Garnishee aforesaid
in favor of said plaintiffs for the said sum of Sixty
Six dollars & costs of fact and thereupon [illegible] same
time on the prayer of the said garnishee and his filing
the affidavit prescribed by law and entering into
and [illegible] grievance with security, and effect is granted
to him to the circuit court of the [illegible] of St Louis
[illegible] [illegible] and on the judgment aforesaid
I the justice [illegible] [illegible] hereby certify that
the above and aforegoing[?] is a time [illegible] [illegible]
of judgment & proceedings had [illegible]
aforesaid

*J C Parmer[?] [illegible]*

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**Page 14** (7543_014.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Bill of Costs*

|   |   |
|---|---|
| fee justice | |
| fees on attachment La | 83 1/2 |
| Order of petitioner | 33.00 |
| [illegible] out 6 [illegible] | 73 |
| sub | 18 3/4 |
| Judge against [illegible] | 33 1/2 |
| Oath | 6 1/4 |
| Judet est of non hat | 33 1/2 |
| notice to garnishee | 25 |
| Camedover | $ 3.25 |
|   |   |
|---|---|
| brought forward | $ 3.25 |
| sub | 18 3/4 |
| Veune | 25 |
| Swearing Jury | 25 |
| do 4 cent [illegible] | 25 |
| judet | 33 1/2 |
| atto to oath | 33 1/2 |
| [illegible] & laping | 33 1/2 |
| transcript | 35 |
| certificate | 25 |
| | $ 6.44 3/4 |
—[illegible] 3 1/2
Discontinued & judgment confessed by defor
for costs Book 6 page 299

*Archid Gamble Clerk Fee bill 200*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

No 133 Nov Term 1831
American Fur Company company
vs
A Valiant
[illegible] transcript on appeal

*filed Nov 28th 1831 A Gamble Clerk*

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**Page 15** (7543_015.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena for Felix Fontaine, Amant Michael, Jean Louis Morrisson*

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St Louis County —Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon [illegible] Fontaine, St Amant Micheans
Jean Louis Morillion
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 15th day of December at the
City 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 American Fur Company are
plaintiffs, and Antoine Valliant is 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 City of St. Louis , this 29th [illegible]
day of November — in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty- one A Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 16** (7543_016.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

Nov 1831
American Fur Company
vs
Antoine Valliant
Spa for

*Felix Fontaine [illegible]
S Amant Micheans
Jean Louis Morillion [illegible] Decr 15th for deft*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on Felix Fontaine 1st are
St Amant Michan 10th on Jean Louis Morillion
10th of December 1831 in St Louis County by
Reading it to shown

*John K Walker Shff
by [illegible] Brotherton Deft Service $ 1.50*

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**Page 17** (7543_017.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena for Felix Fontaine, Amant Michael, Jean Louis Morrisson*

County Of St. Louis , Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of Saint Louis County—Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summon Felix Fontaine - St amant Michaus &
Jean Louis Morillion
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 Ninth - day of April next at the
City 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 American Fur Company - are
plaintiffs, and Antoine Vaillant - is - 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 City of St. Louis , this Eighteenth
day of February in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty- two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 18** (7543_018.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1832
American Fur Company
vs
Antoine Vaillant
for deft

*Felix Fontaine 20
St Amant Michaux 16
John Louis Morittion 29 on 9th April*
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on St Amant Muhaux
16th on Felix Fontaine 20th [illegible] & on John Louis
Million 29th March 1832 in St Louis
County

*John Walker
Shff [illegible] $ 1 50*

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**Page 19** (7543_019.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Subpoena for Antoine Barada, Target Barada, Jacob Stine*

County Of St. Louis Sct.
State of Missouri , To the Sheriff of St. Louis County—Greeting.
You Are Hereby Commanded To Summon Antoine Barada - Target Barada
& Jacob R Stine
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 City 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 American Fur Company
are plaintiffs, and Antoine Vailant is -
defendant, on the part of defendant
and have you then there this writ.

*Witness: Archibald Gamble , Clerk of our said Circuit Court ,
at the City of St. Louis , this Tenth day of
April in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty- two Archibald Gamble Clerk C. C.*

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**Page 20** (7543_020.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Certificate of Execution*

Executed this writ on Jacob R Stire on 10th. on [illegible]
Antoine Barada on the 14th. April 1832 by reading
it to them in St Louis County

*Jno K Walker Sheriff
By Isaac Stoner Deft Service $ 1.50*
> *Legal Function: Caption*

March Term 1832
American Fur Company
vs
Antoine Vailant
for Deft.

*Antoine Barada 14
Target Barada [illegible]
Jacob R Stine 18 forthwith*

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**Page 21** (7543_021.jpg)
> *Legal Function: Notice of Settlement*

this is to Certity that we have made a
Settlement with J. Valliant for the such against him
by said Valliant Paying all the Costs and charges
in said suit

*St Louis April 13 1832 [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible]*

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**Page 22** (7543_022.jpg)

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

American Fur Company V. Antoine Valliant. 1831, St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project, accessed October 8, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.washu.edu/s/ccr/item/60762