New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-27
Capital Fundamental Request from the
RritIsh Parliament,

A very important movement has been made IN
the British Parliament, in reference to the SUD-
iect of Capital Punishment. Sir George Grey,
Her Maesty's Principal Secretary, has, through
Amor LAWRENCE our American Minister, IN
London. asked our Government for facts. This
REQUEST will be met by Special Mission. Rev
CHARLES SPEAR, Editor of The Prisoner Friend
Boston, has been appointed for that purpose and
he has Just returned from Washington with let
ter to Sir George Grey, from Daniel Webster
Secretary of State. Mr.. Spear will proceed to
London on the lst of May. Probably he will take
passage in the American line of steamers. Mr.
Spear depends on private aid to enable him to ac'
oomplsh his purpose Large meetings were held
In Washington, and noble response was made
% the call from the British Government Meet
ings were also held in Baltimore and Philader
phia. From the latter city, letter will be ad
dressed by the women of Philadelphia to the
women of Great Britain 1t is expected that
thousands will sign this letter.
Is it not time for NewYork TO respond to this
National call from the mother country Were
meeting called, the largest hall might be hlled-
We trust that Mr. Spear will consent TO address
such a meeting before he leaves on his mission
The document he had will show the nature OF the
questions;
THE PRISONERS FRIEND-ExrSA.
Reowestfon TIE British Parliament foy Information 'elS
tins to As CytsiRal LSa0s Of the UHtfed States.
DEAR FRIEND-We address you Ia relation to very I'M
porlAnt movement In the BRUSH Parliament request
has been made he Hon Abbott Lawrenceths American
Mips,er In London, for facts 10 relation TO the Criminal
Laws OF lhe United States. Mr. Lawrence forwarded Ihe
~ Msssachusets and a. we had many facilities for
ing many Of the questions they have been placed In our
ip how many States does Capital Punishment exist by
law, and TO what crimes Is II attached ~,
III Has Capital Punishment always formed psrt OF me
Criminal Code Of such States II not when wAs II INTRO
deced NJ, -, S,.,.. ~,
have executed durog each Of The THEE last years
and for what crimes
eommuled daring The same period and the nature and dl-
radon OF The commuted sentence
v The MANNER Ia which capital sentences are carried
Into eject the TlMg allowed between sentence and
ton the TREATMENT Of the Criminal during hlsinIervs As
~ niercourse with friends, etc Whelher the eXecuuon 10
public or In whose presence II 10 carried into effect and
Pei " 49, oS he ,aes does Capital Punishment NOT
exist by lsw Has extsed In such States and II 80,
when was 10 sbollRbeds -
crimes for which Capital Punishment elsewhere Indicted
I'M he comparative effect % far ss 1t can 30
sseersed Of these respective Punisens on the highest
TX Ia Tho states In which mere Is No Capital Punish
menL tho punshments for the hlshes' class OF ees
elsewhere esp'lsly punished, fully carried oNH " arc 00
To fscse the repesto these from the British
Parliament PnsOn-keepers, Judges Statesmen clergy
men and others respectful invited without reiereoce
10 sect or party forward replies, reports, etc posI
psdl 10 The subscriber before the rs IF Apg 1901
70 carry out su further the object Of mission so IN
menscy important TO tho prosperity Of society generally,
the mutual good win OF great nations, we have
spend least six months In travelling over
Europe Many advantages must result NON such VlsA
l. A valuable correspondence may be secured
H. Nslusble information In regard 70 the treatment OF
criminals may be ascerisined
The subscriber feels tho need OF hearty cooperation and
be tolcis such aid VIII enable hun the nnavOid-
able expenses Of the journey. Toe sum necessary one
thousand dollars Three hundred may HOw be rse& on,
and several distinguished In Boston have pledged
sistsnce The lime for leaving will DO May l., 1851
Friends The time is short The mission 10 important
All secs are invited In thus doing, hnmbly ini-
rating Him who has said, sick and In prison and
We came unto me- CHARLES SPEAR,
Eeiior Of PrisonerS Friend, Cornhu, Boston.
BostoA, Jansaayy, 1851.