Letter: To Charles Hawley from P.T. Barnum regarding Barnum's libel suit, August 8, 1832

Letter from P.T. Barnum to Charles Hawley, dated August 18th, 1832, related to a libel suit.  During Barnum's three years as the editor of his own newspaper, "The Herald of Freedom," P.T. was sued for libel three times.  The first lawsuit was from a butcher in Danbury which, after one mistrial, saw Barnum be sued for a few hundred dollars - although the exact amount is not specified in Barnum's autobiography.  A second libel suit was filed but then withdrawn.  The third and final suit, the one this letter addresses, was brought against Barnum by Seth Seeley, an elder in Bethel's church at the time.  P.T. accused of Seth Seeley of taking usury from an orphan, and the case was routed through the court at Danbury.  The letter here reveals the name of the lawyers representing the State of Connecticut in the case (Betts and Booth), and Barnum's own work in finding legal representation.  In the end, Barnum spent 60 days in jail for the charges. Transcription: Danbury August 18th 1832 Mr. Chas Hawley    Dear Sir,  I have a case in which I wish to engage you.  The case is for publishing a libel in which I am the defendant.  I have got it adjourned for counsel until tomorrow at 11 o'clock A.M. at which time I wish you without the least fail to be here and assist me.   As the case is one of importance I hope you will not fail of being here, and especially be sure and be here as soon as 11 oclock.  Betts and Booth are both here employed by the State and are ready for action as soon as you come. Yours & in haste, Phineas T. Barnum N.B. The court will be held at the court house in Danbury     P.T.B. Back of letter reads "Charles Hawley, Esq. Stamford, CT" The first lawyer for the state, Thaddeus Laddins Betts (February 4, 1789 – April 7, 1840) was born in Norwalk, CT. After preparatory studies he graduated from Yale College in 1807, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1810. He began his law practice in Norwalk. He was married to Antoinette Cannon who was born on April 20, 1789 and died on February 26, 1864. Betts’ positions in elected office include as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives (1815), a member of the Connecticut Senate as a senator at-large (1828-1830), again as a member of the state House of Representatives (1830-1831), and then as a member of the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District (1831-1832). He served as the 12th and 14th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (1831-1833, 1834-1835) and finally as a United States Senator from Connecticut (1839-1840). Reuben Booth (November 26, 1794 – August 14, 1848), second lawyer for the state, was born in Newtown and grew up in Kent, CT as the son of a wool-carder. Booth graduated from Yale College in 1816, then began studying law with David Boardman of New-Milford and Moses Hatch of Danbury. He was admitted to the bar in 1818 and opened an office for practice in Danbury. He was married to Jane Belden (1798 – Feb 18, 1844) of Wilton. His elected positions began in 1822 when he was elected to represent Danbury in the Connecticut General Assembly. That year he also was appointed judge of probate for the district of Danbury, a position he held until 1835. In 1830 he was elected a state senator, and finally served as the 18th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (1844-1846). The lawyer that Barnum writes to in this letter, Charles Hawley (June 15, 1792 – January 23, 1866), was born in the part of Huntington, CT which now forms the town of Monroe. He graduated with honor from Yale College in 1813, and studied law with Asa Chapman in Newtown and Judge Gould in Litchfield. He was admitted to the bar in 1815 or early 1816, then opened an office in Stamford where he remained for the rest of his life excepting a brief period in East Haddam. In 1821 he married Mary Stiles Holly. In 1824 Hawley was appointed Judge of Probate for the district of Stamford and held the position until 1838. He repeatedly represented the town of Stamford in the Connecticut House of Representatives between 1821 and 1839. Hawley represented the 12th District in the Connecticut Senate for three terms during the period 1830 – 1838 and finally served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (1838 – 1842).