Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
United States District Court judge David Sewall’s (1735-1825) charge to the jury in the Thomas Bird (circa 1760-1790) murder trial began with a brief history of government and law in New England, which established a pattern of law and order, first as Englishmen and then as Americans. He asserted Bird’s actions of murder on the high seas and piracy were akin to highway robbery, and Bird’s disregard for human life should be taken seriously and punished accordingly.
British sailor Thomas Bird stood trial in Portland for the murder of his captain, Cap. John Conner, while aboard the British sloop Mary. The recently enacted United States Constitution placed federal jurisdiction over maritime cases. Found guilty, Bird hanged at Portland in 1789--the first legal execution in the newly formed United States.
About This Item
- Title: Judge David Sewall's charge to the Grand Jury, Portland, 1789
- Creator: David Sewall
- Creation Date: 1789
- Subject Date: 1789
- Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 18.7 cm
- Local Code: Coll. S-763
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Executions and executioners--Maine
- Maritime law
- Murder--Maine--Portland
- Piracy
- Slave trade--Indonesia
People
Other Keywords
- British maritime trade
- Early American justice
- Federal execution
- High seas murder
- Maritime law
- Mutiny
- Presidential pardon
- Slave trade
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 152236
Issue of the "New-England Courant," printed by Benjamin Franklin, Boston, 1723
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