Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-08

Grand Jurors have been expressly required bring all
offending, 10 condign punishment; yet, until the
moral sentiment prevailing among Us, has not ade.
quatey sustained those laws, and all persons who have
offended against the have remained unmolestet,
except three who, after conviction, received pardon
through the hands Of former Chief Magistrates ard
many Of such offenders have been raised by their fellow
citizens TO high Executive, Legislative and Judicial
trusts wherefore it is represented TO that would be
partial and unequal enforce in the present case pc.
nates Uhich may have been regarded obsolete; and
that the said James Watson Webb is therefore deserving
our clemency:
/ Now, therefore, know ye, that in consideration OF
these premises, but upon the express condition that the
said James Watson Webb shall not, while he remains
citizen Of this State, violate any of the laws designed
to prevent duelling, by any act aid assist abct
any such violation print publish any Justification
or defence OF the practice Of dneling, any paper
with intent TO advocate uphold the same, we hare
pardoned remised and released and by these Presents
do pardon, reisc and release The said James Watson
Webb, of and from the offence whereof, in our said
Court, he stands convicted aforesaid, and of and
from all sentences judgments and executions thereon
hereby restoring to him all the rights aud privileges Of
citizenship forfeited by him. in consequence Of the said
offence or the said conviction
In testimony whereof, have caused these our let
ters to be made Patent, and the Great Seal Of
IT, s. said State be hereunto affixed: Witness,
William II. Seward, Governor of our said
State, at our city Of Albany, the twenty eighth
| day of November in the year of our Lord oua
(Signcd) WIN. H. SEWARD
Passed the secretarys Office the 18th day of Noven,.
Der, ls42
(signed,) s. YOUNG. Secretary Of State.
rx asi?H Is S'ss:'i o6 a"sEfi:}
II was stated in the New York papers short time
previous the death Of John G. Colt that an attempt
had been made to bride the officers to connive at his
escape now appears, as will re seen by the annexed
papers which were laid before the Common Council of
Nam VOL Mopdav At fhp ,ofop
thousand dollars hud actually been sent TO the sheriff
to induce him refuse Colt at the appointed
time All The proceedings in this extraordinary case,
from first TO last, show that effort which legal inge
nuity could devise money accomplish, was lefl
tried to this individual from the fate which thu
law had awarded as the punishment of his crime:
dieter from the Sheriff.
Sir wish you to deposi,e, with the Common
Council Of the city Of New York, the enclosed sum Of
dollars each, of the PhGnix Bank. These bills
sent to me, inclosed in the letter. signed "W W. w.,
which received on the 18th nstant-the object Of the
writer of which, sufficiently appears on the face of the
communication.
Although, suppose, that the legal title 10 this mo-
ney, still remains with the person who transmitted it
me, yet, it is scarcely to be anticipated that any
will make the dangerous attempt to reclaim it.
Its not proper, nor have any desire that this mo-
ney should remain in my hands-the only difficulty
with me, has been to whom should pay it.
have concluded, that it would be The best course 10
pay it into the public Treasury.
This disposition Of it will afford compensation
to the city for the heavy expenses which it has been
subjected on account of the proceedings against tho
individual deceased, whose escape some misjudg-
ing friend eEdeavored to procure by this attempted
bribery
In case, too, Of any attempt being made 10 reclaim
this money from me- expect and viii no doubt find in
the city, under the circumstances under which depo.
site it, sufficient and ready indemnify.
1t will, perhaps, not br improper for me to add, in
contemplation OF many attacks that haze been made
in relation to my official conduct, in the Of
John C. Colt in which | not conscious Of any H.
legal dishonest conduct my part that the fact 81
my having received the money enclosed was immedi.
aely after its receipt communicated to the under She
riff, and very shortly afterwards to gentleman holding
judicial stn,ion, in whose Judgment aud dsnterest.
edness had confidence. lie concurs with me in tho
disposition Of the money which now beg leaveto make
through your hands.
/ remain. very respectfully,
Your obcdicnt servant
NJ. B. HART
To the President of the Board of Aldermen Of the city
Of New York.
THE ENCLOSED LETTER.
Shonld you do what is herein requested, another sum
exactly equal TO that enclosed shall he to yen
ON Friday, 18th November, 1912. Tho undersigned
has acquaintance with Colt nor with any of his rela
tons o. friends. Pure benevolence and humanity have
induce the undersigned TO offer you the enclosed sun,
the conditions that you decline and posrey retse
10 hang Colt. This you can conscientously do the
score of humanity and that have right to take
the life ora fellow creature; the that two OF
the jury who tried him at first of opinion that IL
was only rnansaugher; the that the Chancel.
Tor ought to have granted writ cf 10 the Court
of Errors, Qhe Senae:) on Tie score Of improper
bias; nay, violent prejudice having in the outset been
created by the large and small papers Of the city against
him; the that the true republican doctrine is
10 hang but to imprson for life, for capital cases
On the score that ia all human probability the law
acting hanging for any offence will this winter be
peaed; on the that Governor Bcuck will, he
has declared, pardon Colt-Gnv. Boucks opinions be-
ing well ascertained on this point.
There are many reasons which, in the haste Of the
moment the undersigned is unable 10 write but, SIT,
come out like General Jackson-take upon yourself
The esponsbility-construe the laws and your duty
IS you understand them, and refuse TO hang Colt
You will thereby lay up for yourself in future lie
he pleasing reflection of having saved from destcc.
ton human being, uDjuslly condemned, and receive
he thanks and bic sings of Colts relatives and friends
md meet the full appreciation and entire approval or
The whole OF The Bar, u. the Vice Chancel.o. and OF
he Judges. If you take The step recommended, YOU
will receive the applause Of the people, and Of the pas.
y and Of the whole community. Popular feeling now
uns high in favor of the prisoner. W. w. w.
The papers were referred TO the committee charged
With the investigation Of the origin Of the Gre in the
.upola Of the city prison.
SLAVE CASE AT NEWARK.
grea. excitement was caused in Licking last week.
n consequence Of effort to negro mas
named Nelson. He was claimed the properly Of
Iohn Dyke, of Clarke county, Kentucky, who caused
lin to be arrested. But before the trial came on n
srt of haJeas corpus issued by Judge Bancroto OF
Granville ordering the prisoner TO be brought before
lin forthwith.
After considerable difficulty, says the Gazette, at
lines nearly amounting to riot, the prisoner was
AIKEN Granville and the trial took pIsce in the Con
erence room Of the Academy, which was crowded TO
ts utmost with exciled spectators. Mr. Stanbcrry "a.