Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-05
To the People of the Stale of New York:


Whereas, at Court of General Sessions of the Peace
held in and for the City and County New York in the
month of November, 1872, JAMES WATSON WEBB
convicted OF leaving this State for the purpose of giving
receiving challenge fight duel with deadly wea-
pons, and giving receiving such challenge and was
thereupon sentenced be imprisoned in the State Prison
hard labor for the of Year, and whereas an
unconditional pardon is solicited in behalf Of the said
JAMES WATSON WEBB by the Court by the Grand Jurors
by the Municipal Councils, by the Officers of Justice in
the said city, and by many good and worthy citizens Of
this State, because he the challenger the said
duel: because the challenger, though holding high repre-
sentative trust has not been brought justice and
smenabe the laws of this Stlte because the combat
not mortal and the challenge party sincerely manifest
ed determination avoid deprivng his adversary Of life
and he unhanned because the said JAMES WATSON
WEBB voluntarily submitted himself justice and confess
sed his offence, waving all advantages Of legal defence
because although the practice of dueng in and
fragrant violation Of Divine laws, and is inconsistent with
the morality and humanity which ought 10 distinguish
civilized people, and has, therefore, been forbidden by the
the laws of this State with fofeures pains and penalties
through period Of nearly forty years, and the Attorney
General, Judges and Grand Jurors have been expressly
required bring all offending condien punishment; vel
until now the moral sentiment prevailing among us has not
adequately sustained tose laws and all persons who have
offended against the have remained unmoested ex
cept three who after convicon received pardon through
the hands Of former Chief Magistrates and many of
such offenders have been raised by their TO
high Executive, Legislative and Judicial trusts, wherefore
is represented that il would be partial and Unequal
10 enforce IN the present penalties which have
been regarded absolute and that the said James Watson
Webb j. therefore deserving our ccncncy-
Now therefore, know yc, that in considerable of these
premises, but upon the exprcss condition that the said
james Watson Webb shall not, while he remains citizen
OF this State violate any Of the laws designed prevent
dueng. Ny any aid assist abet any such viola
uOn print publish any Justification or defence Of
dueling, or any with intent advocate or uphold
the same we have pardoned remsed and released and by
these Presents do pardon, rcise and the said lanes
Watson Webb Of and from the offence whereof in our
said Court he stands convicted forosad and Of and
from oil sentences judgments and executions thereon
Of ri
tzenshiP forfeited by him, IN consequence Of the said Of
fence the said conviction
In testimony whereof, have caused these our letters
to be made Patent and the Great Seal Of our said
State TO be hereunto affixed Witness WILLIAM n
n SEWARD, Governor Of sud St1to nj our city of
l"I Albany, the twenty cghth day Of Novernber in
the wear Of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and forty-twO.
Signed, WILLIAM n. SEWARD
Passed the Secretary's Office the 2sih day Of Novem
Der, 1912.
Signed, s. YOUNG S,eyefarv Of Stat,