American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-14
REV. CuARhns Y. roRRE1.


PETITION OF Mrs. ToRBEY FOR HIS PARDON.
We have received from Annapolis, copy Of
q petition addressed to Gov. Pratt By Mrs.
Torrey, wife Of the Rev. Charles 7, Torrey,
convicted before Baltimore City Court Of aid
ingin the escape Of three slaves, and sentenced
20 the peniteotiary for six years The petit
ton invokes the clemency Of the Governor in
behalf Of the prisoner, in consequence OF $
declining hea th While we desire to express
no opinion Of our own in the premises, we DO
no: feel at liberty to withhold perusaI Of it
from our readers.
DR.. Gibson, the Physician of tho Peniten-
tiary, cert6es "that Charles II. Torrcy is in a
condition Of i'll health, calculated to authorize
the presumption that he will not live a great
while longer. The symptoms are those Of in
cipient consumption"
The petition of Mrs. Torrey is preceded by
the following circular:
GEErLEMEN:-Thsm mode is adopted to pre-
sent to you the following case, and respectfully
to ask you TO examine it, and if consistent with
your views of duty, to ask you to concur.
J
for aiding in the escape Of three slaves, IS so
sick, that tho Physician is of opinion that he
cannot live much longer. For his conduct,
there is no justification or sympathy. He has
been, not only a fanatic, but, as is believed, a
mono-maniac He is now hunlblCd, cOnfesses
his wrongs, and asks to be forgiven. His wife,
a most excellent lady, for herself and her two
little children, most anxiously appeals to you
to aid her in his release
1t is proposed that he shall pay for the
slaves, and be pardoned and leave the State
The law has been vindicated, the dignity OF
the State maintained the prisoners conduct
condemned; and some 40 or so of the princip pal
citizens of Massachusetts, of both the great par
ties, all Of whom are or have been in public
, life, many of whom are known throughout the
country, and not one of whom is an abolition
list, have as n matter Of humanity and policy,
urged, in most respectful terms, his release
They condemn, in behalf Of the people of that
state, the acts of Torrey, and all interference
of this sort nth slaves in the slave states, yet
they express an opinion, that an act OF elem
ency will do more to vindlcate our laws, a.
Ioong the people at the north, and deter others
from such Offences, than more severe pun
ishment. In this opinion many distinguished
citizens Of this state, including the Judges of
the court who sentenced him, concur.
1t is admitted, tina; IN his folly and rashness,
he has provoked an Indignation against him +,
but he is nov conquered; and to triumph
over fallen foe, is no trait OF the character OF
the people OF Maryland. An act OF mag nani-
nifty under the circumstances, could not tail to
place them before the world 10 an honorable
position, and the way seems to be open for
them to do, what the good man always loves
to do, grant favor to Il most worthy woman
and her innocent little children. They beg for
their husband aud Their, and let Us bless them,
and secure their blessings upon us, by letting
him go home to them. They love him with
'ail his faults We can afford to grant their
request
It is now morally certain, that unless releas-
cd, he will in II short time die The whole
object of punishment having been accomplish
ed, as matter Of policy, it is believed, that an
act Of clemency, especially ifgranted, with the
concurrence Of prominent citizens. will be an
act of wisdom. If he dies liz prison, as his i'm
prisonment will have been the cause of his