[MSN] Legal treasure returned 150 years after theft

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Legal treasure returned 150 years after theft
 
An inscription in a lawbook recently returned to the state Supreme Court
library was probably written by the thief: "Obtained in July 1865 at
Raleigh, North Carolina." 


Andrea Weigl, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - A North Carolina legal treasure, likely stolen from the Capitol by
federal soldiers just after the Civil War, has come home.
State Supreme Court historian Danny Moody received an e-mail message last
month from an Indiana University librarian saying that library had a book
that appeared to belong here.

The 1708 lawbook is entitled "Report of Divers Cases in Pleas of the Crown
Adjudged and Determined; in the Reign of King Charles II." An inscription
written with a quill pen inside the front says it was a gift to the Supreme
Court library from Raleigh lawyer Quentin Busbee. Busbee likely donated the
book when he was that court's reporter in 1853, Moody said. The book
recounts rulings in cases such as the prosecution of people involved in the
execution of King Charles I. They were charged with high treason.

The book, valued at as much as $1,500, was returned last week. It is now
part of the court's special book collection, which is housed in a pair of
climate-controlled, locked rooms.

On the book's title page, there is an inscription that appears to have been
written by the thief. It reads: "Obtained in July 1865 at Raleigh, North
Carolina." At that time, the court's library was kept on shelves inside the
courtroom, which was inside the Capitol. The identity of the thief might
never be known -- the book was donated to the Indiana library anonymously.

"The book itself is almost 300 years old. It's been missing for 150 years,"
Moody said. "I think it's phenomenal that it found its way back."

Staff writer Andrea Weigl can be reached at 829-4848 or
aweigl at newsobserver.com.
http://www.newsobserver.com/