Читать книгу The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9) - Томас Джефферсон, Thomas Jefferson - Страница 88

Washington, June 24, 1807.

Sir,—I enclose you a petition of John Partridge, which I perceive to have been in your hands before, by a certificate endorsed on it. The petitioner says the term of labor to which he was sentenced expired on the 14th instant; that he is unable to pay the costs of prosecution, and therefore prays to be discharged. But in such cases it is usual to substitute an additional term of confinement equivalent to that portion of the sentence which cannot be complied with. Pardons too for counterfeiting bank paper are yielded with much less facility than others. However, in all cases I have referred these petitions to the judges and prosecuting attorney, who having heard all the circumstances of the case, are the best judges whether any of them were of such a nature as ought to obtain for the criminal a remission or abridgement of the punishment. I now enclose the papers, and ask the favor of you to take the opinion of the judges on that subject, and to favor me with your own, which will govern me in what I do, and be my voucher for it. I salute you with esteem and respect.