Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-22

Johnsons administration. To what rofnement
OF cruelty has this sot-hearted officer speedily at
tanned! Does he hold out to the whites any
suranee that if another Hatcher case shall occur
that he will not be ready to pardon the deed
Does he warn the negro population in Virginia not
to trust in his cemency for the future for that he
has come to a clearer knowledge of the laws and
the duty they Impose on him There is nothing
OF the kind, but rather the very opposite deduc-
tons could fairly be made We are told that the
views OF the relations between master and slave
from which the formers right of punishment
springs, have been 'loDg entertained" Enter
talned' then at the time that the pardon was ex-
tendedto Hatcher-what security then have over
seers that another case shall occur in every res
pect similar to the recent one, that it would not
be dealt with in a similar mannerl The white
people have still no assurance to lean upon-they
have been withdrawn from the protection of the
law as administered by courts and iures, and
handed over to the tender consideration, not of
Governor ignorant of their rights, but who, being
informed of them to their full extent, yet has
thought proper to trample them under foot
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, May H. 1852
Tothe General assembly Of Virginia:
On the 18th day of March last Jordan Hatcher slave
aged about seventeen years. charged with having killed
one William Jackson tried in the Hastings Court
OF this city, found guilty and sentenced be hung on the
23d day OF April 1852 Shortly after his conviction and
during my late visit to the County oHarrson papers rea
ting to this subject sent to which failed to arrive
before return and received here until after the
day upon which the execution have taken place
Desiring to see those papers before making final decis
ion, granted respite of weeks and after mature
and deliberate consideration the 9th instant commu-
ted the sentence against the said Hatcher sae and
Tho Inita1 Stntas A,,I
was made my duty to do by the Constitution herewith
respectfully communicate to the Legislature my reasons
for said Communication.
That Jacksons death caused by blow inflicted by
Hatcher, there can be doubt; but the testimony and
all the attending circumstances far from showing
the unfortunate result contemplated desired by the
slave rather prove that he had intention of committing
MURDER of taking the life of the overseer Mr. Jackson
in any way and that the unfortunate casualty was one
OF those results which, though deeply be deplored by
all, was not contemplated by any The injury was
inflicted by single blow given of great ex
citement and suffering aid without any effort to inct
further injury, the boy from the building in manner
showing that his object and effort but to escape from
the chassement he was receiving The and
tlal ingredient to constitute murder to wit: INTENT or NAL
ace prepense. therefore, wholly wanting That the
penalty under such circumstances should be DEATH though
perhaps authorized by the letter. is believe against the
splritot our laws and OF the contrary mercy
and humanity. Inch designed for and extended only
to the unfortunate and the guilty If Hatcher had been
white man. the utmost he could have been charged with
would have been ustabe homicide involuntary man
slaughter and in this twas but mansaughte with
OUT lhtet to KILL My 7gM to nterpose clear and
UNREASONABLE, and believing this be those ca
ses contemplated and provided for by the Constitution
committed the sentence aforesaid.
The power to pardon and commute is a high and sa-
cred trust but it is one in the discharge of which the Elk
ecuve OF this Commonw eath is responsible only his
conscience his God, and the State of Virginia And in
conclusion will say that although strengthened
rmed IN my conviction by the opinions of other gentle
men, OF hlghegal aainments and moral worth, yet my
own Judgment and sense ofduty would have led
conclusion and the performance of the same act
in the absence of all such support.
Very respectfully, JOS. JOHNSON.