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[SLAVERY AND ABOLITION] The Boston Slave Riot and Trial of Anthony Burns [the Alleged Fugitive Slave]. Boston: Fetridge and Company, 1854. 8vo. 86pp. + [12] ads. (few unopened). Publisher’s printed wrappers (lacking rear) with portrait of Burns on upper wrapper (void to lower right corner of upper wrapper slightly affecting title imprint, few small chips to extremities, occasional browning to margins). FIRST EDITION of one of the most important cases of the enforcement of the fugitive slave law of 1850 tried in the courtroom. RARE. The 20 year-old Burns had escaped to Boston from slavery in Virginia, only to be captured under the Fugitive Slave Act and sentenced in legal proceedings to be returned to his southern master -which led to large anti-slavery protests in Boston that culminated in a failed attempt to rescue him from US Marshals at the courthouse. To prevent another Abolitionist "riot", Federal troops had to be used to transport Burns to a Virginia-bound ship after the trial. This pamphlet includes full details of the trial, including legal documents, and a transcription of testimony and arguments of opposing counsel.