Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-10
Executive DEPARTMENT.
CRY OF JEfrrnsoS, (AIo J Auovsr 20, Isl

Cry OF JEFFERSON Mo- AUGUST 90 1854.
Sin: Having received from yourself and many other
citizens Of Buchanan county large petitions praying
the Communication of the sentence Of death which
passed upon Augustus Jennings, convicted at the last
of the circuit court Of said county, and whose day
Of execution is rapidly approaching embrace the oppor
tuny thus afforded of presenting my conclusions after
having bestowed upon the that serious considers
ton which its great Importance demands.
In the exercise of the varied powers with which have
been clothed by virtue of the responsible position to which
my fellow citizens have called me- it is needless for
to say more than that have endeavored to discharge
them with eye single to the honor of State, and
with proper regard for the supremacy of the law
Among the multiplied duties which surround me- there
which demand greater investigation more
serious thought than such presented to my
consideration growing of the enforcement of the cr
minal code. The Executive officer who will undertake
disposition Of the almost numberess of this charac
ter which from time to time presented for his action
must necessarily clothe himself with the great attribute
Of mercy. But, Notwithstanding its claims, there is still
another MISUNDERSTANDING cannot be dsregarded
without sacrifice of the great ends of good government
And here permit me to add that my experience has
taught me that nothing is natural
strongly Of true nobility Of heart than exhibitions
sympathy for others WHILE the other hand few
dangers greater than such grow out of too ibe
raj disposition to witness the violation Of law In this
day too frequently the gross offender escaping the
penalty which he has justly incurred.
Crimes of the deepest dye being constantly COM
mitted, and in far too many instances for the public
good the offender goes unwhpt Of justice Is there not
then great danger judging from the increasing amount
of crime throughout land that the frequent in
terposon of Executive cemency will have the effect
increase rather than diminish the number of those who
seek to become its subjects Impressed with these
siderations and believing that our laws based upon
the great principles of human justice it rarely
that Executive nterposton is attended with happy
suits. With reference to the of young jennings
after strict examination Of the evidence, unable to
see extenuatng circumstance; but the other
hand the whole plan of murder TO have been
ceved in cold blood and executed with love of ven
geance which is absolutely astounding and revolving
The elaboration Of the act the cruel and toruous
which selected for numbering the deceased,
passes any thing in the annals Of crime With due
gard therefore, to oil the facts which in this case
far than ordinary consequence, involving
1t does, human life itself, my beet convictions Of duty
prompt to decline any interference with the Of
justice which has already been prescribed by the pro-
perry constituted authorities under our laws.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant, STIRLING PRICE.
To Capt. bella M. HUGHEs and six hundred
other citizens Of Buchanan county