A DIGEST OF THE CONVEYANCING, TESTAMENTARY, AND REGISTRY LAWS OF ALL THE STATES IN THE UNION. Embracing References to the Leading Decisions upon these subjects in most of the States, Together with the Forms of Acknowledgment, Probate, Relinquishment, &c., required by the Statutes of, and in use in each. Preceded by a brief Treatise on the general Rules relating to the nature, execution, and operation of Deeds and Wills; and followed by an Appendix, containing the most approved general Forms of those Instruments. Being a Practical Manual and Guide for Lawyers, officers, and men of business. BY JAMES B. THORNTON, LATE OF VIRGINIA, NOW OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ATTORNEY AT LAW. This work is now in Press, and will speedily issue. Its value and utility are, attested alike by the litigation which is constantly filling the Courts, both State and Federal the experience of every practitioner, and the numerous letters from distinguished Jurists of every part of the Union. We select a few from the number which will be published in PITTSBURG, Aug. 19, 1846. Dear Sir--I heartily approve of the plan and object of your proposed work. Such a work is much wanted, and I doubt not will amply remunerate you for the labour and expense incurred by its publication. I have read with some care that part of the manuscript submitted to me which relates to the authentication of the conveyance of real property in Pennsylvania, and their acknowledgment by non-residents and femes covert, and find it correct and accurate. I hope you will meet with the success and encouragement which your work so amply deserves. I am, very respectfully, James B. Thornton, Esq. Letter of Judge Walker, of Cincinnati. CINCINNATI, Feb. 27th, 1846. James B. Thornton, Esq. My dear Sir-I have examined that portion of the manuscript of your proposed work on Convey ancing which relates to Ohio, with at much care as time would permit, and believe the same to be entirely accurate. Should the work include all the States in the Union, and be throughout as well executed as that part which relates to Ohio, it cannot fail to be one of the most useful law books of the day. It must have cost you much labour and expense for which I trust you will be well remunerated. Very respectfully,WALKER. Letter from the Hon. John Y. Mason. WASHINGTON, Feb'ry, 14th, 1846. My dear Sir-I have examined the portion of your proposed legal work which relates to the laws of Virginia, enabling temes covert to execute deeds, and concerning the authentication of conveyances of real estate in that state by non-residents. It appears to me that you have collected the laws touching your subject with accuracy and fidelity, and your explanatory directions if observed, will guard against any mistake or defect in the execu tion and preparation for record of these important papers. J. Y. MASON. James B. Thornton, Esq. Letter from the Hon. Judge Dargan, of Alabama. WASHINGTON, April 11th, 1816. Mr. James B. Thornton: I have examined that portion of your proposed legal work, so far as relates to the laws of Alabama, enabling married women to convey real estate, and prescribing the mode of taking the probate of deeds, when executed by non-residents, out of the State. You have faithfully digested the Statutes of Alabama on these subjects; and your work, when completed, will be found of great convenience, and will save much trouble and expense. The Profession has long needed such a work, and every member of it has often felt the inconvenience of the want of knowledge of the registration laws of the different States of the Union, and of their vari. ous Statutes enabling femes covert to convey their real estate. Your plan of digesting these laws into one work, will entitle you to the gratitude of the Profession, and I trust it will pay you for your labours. The public, at least, will be benefitted by your work. I am, dear Sir, yours, E. S. DARGAN. Similar testimonials have been received from distinguished lawyers of Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other States, but it is deemed unnecessary to multiply them here. SMITH ON CONTRACTS. THE LAW OF CONTRACTS, by John William Smith, Esq., (author of Smith's Leading Cases,) late of Inner Temple, Barrister at Law. With Notes and Appendix, embodying the latest Cases, by Jelinger C. Symons, Esq., of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law. Under an arrangement with the London Publishers, we have reprinted the above named valuable work, and now present it to the American Bar simultaneously with its appearance in England. The peculiar merits of this work have induced us to incur a very considerable expense in order to present it to the American Bar at the earliest possible moment, and that the patrons of our Law Library may profit thereby, we issue it as a part of that series simultaneously with the second volume of Crabb's valuable work on the Law of Real Property and somewhat in advance of the date by which its position in the Law Library will be regulated. The second volume of Crabb will be concluded in the March number which will soon be ready for delivery. Smith will form the April number. We ask the special attention of Subscribers to the amount as well as character of the matter now furnished for the small sum EIGHTY-THREÈ AND A THIRD CENTS; an entire and very valuable treatise comprising 430 English pages. We trust the high opinion expressed of it abroad, together with the well deserved reputation of the author, may secure for it the patronage of the Profession in the United States. January, 1847. T. & J. W. JOHNSON. Extract from a long and laudatory article in the London Law Magazine, Nov. 1846. "In a mercantile country, like our own, the Law of Contracts forms, beyond all comparison, the most important and comprehensive portion of our Common and Statute Law, and yet a philosophical Treatise upon Contracts has been hitherto a desideratum to the English student. "We think the plan here suggested, might be carried out so as to combine all those qualities which are conceived to be essential to a Treatise on the Law of Contracts, viz., brevity, perspicuous and logical arrangement, apt illustration and ample reference. Were we asked to give some evidence that a Book on Contracts, written in the manner here proposed, would be thankfully accepted by the Profession, we would at once refer to Mr. Smith's Selection of Leading Cases; this amply suffices to demonstrate the importance of a judicious selection of Cases, and shows how the illustration of the various rules of Law may be most advantageously effected. "The remarks in the work before us are for the Student, (to whom they were originally addressed,) peculiarly valuable, since they explain a subject of fundamental importance, with that clearness and precision which are so happily characteristic of Mr. Smith's mode of thinking and of legal investigation. "We have found, in the work before us, abundant evidence of patient research, and of fearlessness in the expression of opinion, when maturely formed; and we think it, therefore, entitled to no ordinary praise. It contains a masterly exposition of principles, explained and illustrated by striking and original remarks; and by its posthumous publication not only has an important obligation been conferred upon the living, but the most appropriate and graceful tribute has been offered to the memory of the dead." THE LAW OF CONTRACTS: IN A COURSE OF LECTURES DELIVERED AT THE LAW INSTITUTION, BY JOHN WILLIAM SMITH, ESQ., LATE OF THE INNER TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW ; AUTHOR OF "LEADING CASES," ETC. WITH NOTES AND APPENDIX, BY JELINGER C. SYMONS, Esq., OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW. PHILADELPHIA: T. & J. W. JOHNSON, LAW BOOKSELLERS, PUBLISHERS, AND IMPORTERS, 197 CHESNUT STREET. 1847. |