October 30

John Joseph Caldwell Abbott died on October 30, 1893. He was a Canadian lawyer and politician who had an interesting career. As most people recognize, France has long been a haven for terrorists and malcontents with a generally anti-American bent. Canada, on the other hand, has been a haven for American political dissidents with a somewhat less violent bent. There are exceptions however. In the 1880s, John Joseph Caldwell Abbott was Canada’s Prime Minister. Like so many other politicians, Abbott began his career as a lawyer. He was a signatory of the Montreal Annexation Manifesto, which sought to have Canada become one of the United States. One of Abbott’s most high-profile cases involved the representation of the participants the robbery of three banks in St. Albans, Vermont, United States. In 1864, Americans, from the recently formed Confederate States of America, began to congregate in St. Johns, Canada, just across the border from St. Albans. On October 10, 1864, this band came across the border and checked in to a hotel in St. Albans. On the 19th, they simultaneously staged armed robberies at three of St. Albans’ banks, netting a total of $208,000. I mean, really now, waging a civil war is not cheap and the arms suppliers really appreciated it when the armaments they sold were paid for. While the banks were being robbed, some of them ushered the towns' folk to the village green so that those robbing the banks could, when they had a spare moment, round up and steal all of the residents' horses. The group then re-crossed the border and returned to Canada where they were promptly arrested. The United States soon sought to have them extradited. Abbott, a sort of 19th century version of William Kunstler, was counsel for the raiders at their trial. He successfully argued that the men were belligerents operating under military orders and Canada, a neutral nation, blocked their extradition. The raiders were freed and $88,000, all that remained of the $208,000 stolen, was returned to St. Albans. The balance, it may be assumed went for lawyers’ fees. 20th century American lawyer, Maurice Nadjari noted, “You can’t make a living defending an innocent client” a fact that Abbott must have also observed. Their lawyer had to get his fee, didn’t he? Having to return the money probably really ticked the raiders off.