The case and appeal of James Ashley,
of Bread-Street, London: addressed to the publick in general. In relation to I. The apprehending Henry Simons, the Polish Jew, on a warrant issued out against him for perjury. II. His trial, and conviction of a capital misdemeanor, last Lent-Assizes, held at Chelmsford for the county of Essex. III. His second trial, at the subsequent Assizes, for the same offence, and surprising acquittal. IV. An action brought, and the cruel-verdict obtained, against the said James Ashley, and others. Interspersed throughout with many very uncommon particulars. To which is prefixed, a curious print of the person and dress of the said Henry Simons.
London, Printed for, and published by, the appellant; and sold at the London Punch-house, on Ludgate-hill; at the Brandy ware-house, in Bread-street; and by the booksellers in town and country, 1753
Ashley is appealing his prior conviction for apprehending Henry Simons, a Polish Jew, and illegally detaining him in custody. Henry Simons arrived in London in 1751, and while in the city he was robbed by James Ashley. His attempt to sue the robber was unsuccessful, and following it Simons himself was charged with assault and robbery as well as giving false testimony. Eventually Simons was acquitted and released.
Apparently the frontispiece is the first engraving portraying a Polish Jew ever printed in England. See: Portrait of Anglo-Jewry 1656-1836, in: Transactions (Jewish Historical Society of England), Vol. 19, pp. 16-17.
ESTC lists two issues of the first edition.
First edition. 8vo, engraved frontispiece (small tear to blank inner margin, small ink stain), stitched, unbound. vi, [2], 46, pp.
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