The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-04-26

lnnOcene ana n0tntn8 10o QuC0 0eNQtte0tO mo-
dify that impression" Van Ness had, in con-
show that evidence relied on by the
jury was spurious. The circumstances iof hfs
trial, his youth,Fhis previous rcctitude of cos-
duct, the length Of the Imprisonment already
undergone, combined with the grave doubts Of
his guilt which have arisen, induced the Gov
ernor, with the concurrence of the Senate, to
release him. Who wishes him back to-day in
the Penitentiary! ,o. tef ~ ..aa,.'.. q
Z. MATHEW MAHER, for granddaughter, was
sentenced to three years Imprisonment in the
Penitentiary, was ordered to be retained in the
been confined fifteen months at the time of his
pardon. The petitioners for pardon In his
case were nine Of the twelve jurors who con-
victed him, the Mayor of the city of New Or
leans, the Sheriff, one of the Recorders, an ex-
Judge of one of the District Courts, the clerk
Of the parish prison, and many other prominent
citizens. Maher was an old man Of sixty years
whose conduct before his crime and after his
imprisonment had been peaceable, orderly and
upright. .,--..,. a., ,.s.,-,..-,-.,.
tentiary juno 9th, 1s57-sentenced FOR life
crime, arson--age, when pardoned, seventy-two
years; was bed-ridden, constantly requiring
attendance. Pardon urgently recommended by
the State officer in charge of the Penitentiary
and by the Captain of the Guard. Petition nu-
meSously signed by members Of the Legislature
from New Orleans. -" n.
g. Dan SULLIVAN entered the Penitentiary
February 10, ls59--sentenccd for five yenrs for
killing man who had attacked him. Circum-
stances not adduced at his trial but subsequent
ly sworn to, show that he acted in self fdefcnse.
He was attacked for diecharging his duty in
obedience to orders, by an infatuated man with
a knife. Sullivan struck him with q piece Of
wood, evidently without any intention to kill.
10. THOMAS WOOLLEDGE entered the Peni-
tentiary January IL, 1852 sentenced to four
teen years for manslaughter. Thomas, then
about sixteen years old. made some disturbance
in beer garden, and q man put himtout IN a
rude manner, when he turned and stabbed him
with pocket-knife. The jury recommended
him to the mercy of the court, and one Of the
jurors states under oath that Woollcdge would
not have been convicted by the jury except that
they believed that their Recommendation would
be needed. He also states that they believed
that foe years was the longest term fo1 which
he could be imprisoned. Another juror corro-
boratcs this statement under oath. Petition
otherwise numerously signed. Woolledge had
been punished eight years at the time Of par
don, and his uniform good conduct during the
whole period was certified by the lessees and
clerk Of the Penitentiary. ,p..
imprisonment in the Penitentiary for embez-
zling horse, was earnestly recommended tc
pardon by eleven Of the jury who convicted
him, by two of the principal State witnesses
and by the District Attorney who prosecuted
him on the part of the State. Harmon had beer
imprisoned several months in the parish prison
at the date Of his pardon, but had not been sem
to the Penitentiary. :;
IL. Ira 3. M1LLIMAN, for shooting with intent
to kill, was sentenced to ten years imprison
ment in the Penitentiary at hard labor, where
was shortened about one year and nine months
His conduct having been good he was recon-
mended by the physician Of the Pcnitentiary t.
| pardon on account of bad health. The Dstric
Attorney who prosecuted him joined man.
others in recommending his pardon, on th'
ground that the ends Of justice had been sub
served fully by the imprisonment which he hat
already suffered.
Is. CHARLES MILLER, for. stabbing on init
mate friend in an unusual fit Of drunkenness
was sentenced to two years confinementE III
New Orleans parish prison. The pr To
and person stabbed urgently recophas j ~
pardon. Petition urged by the ply sictx
parish prison on account Of Millers bad health
Petition signed by the prosecuting attorney all,
urged by several members of the New OrlcaH
delegation in the Legislature. Having beel
already confined nearly one year, his punish
ment was thought sufficient. ,..
| IA. JOIN CAvANAUGH was sentenced to on
months confinement in the New Orleans paris
prison and to pay fine. Pardon urged by th
person on whom the assault had been made.-
Character proven good.
Is, l6, II. 1s. ISAAC Gift, EDWARD CRAVEN
j. HARRISON SMITH, and THOMAS STANTON wer
all recommended for pardon at the same tim
by the lcssces, clerk, and Captain Of the Guar
; Of the Pententiary, for their excellent condue
and for meritorious services in saving the lii
Of Captain Hayden last year when murderol
assault was made upon him by an armed cor
vict. Gift had served three-fourths of his Sci
tence, Smith six of the seven wears Of his sci
tence, and Stanton about one-tialf Of the fftee
years of his sentence. Craven was sentence
for life and had served five years, but his col
duct in addition to the timely aid rendered.
the officer above mentioned, had been exceleu
The recommendation was, beyond doubt. we
: grounded, aud the pardon just and judciOus.-
The effect will be, like that of all discreet pa
dons, to encourage good conduct and promot
discipline among the rest of the prisoners.
! l9. PATRICK MCNAMARA, an old Mexican ar
Florida soldier whose conduct and charact
: were proved irreproachable, took possession
: an old cart, worthless except for the old iron
+ contained, and intending to pay the owner Il
that and was sentenced to six months impri
onment in the Penitentiary at hard labor
i Having been confined for a considerable tin
: in the parish prison, his punishment was thong
: sufficient. Pardon recommended by scores
/ the foremost men in New Orleans
2O PATRICK DUFFEY entered the Penitentia
e April %, 1855, sentenced twenty years for sta
u bing. The act was committed under strol
, provocation. He was attacked and pursue
J and probably struck his pursuer in self-defeni
u Many very reputable citizens testify to his go
n character, concur in the belief that he act
Z purely in selfdefense and unite in petitioni
l. for bis pardon.
= Several slaves were also pardoned, but
J. cannot give synopsis of their cases tod
: without trespassing upon the patience of o
4 readers. The foregoing details, however, W
o. suffice to prove how entirely groundless
= censures are which have been uttered agai.
Gov. Moore for doing duty that had been l
u elected by his predecessor. 1t must be RENE
VI bered that the records, documents and petite
y in each of these cases; after having been ca
~ fully examined by the Governor, with the {
of skillful legal advisers were subjected to
~ ~ rigid scrutiny of committee of the Sena
" without whose concurrence the pardons col
~ not have been granted. Intending to revert
u this subject in another issue, we must be p
III mitted to recommend our censorious confre
u of New Orleans to treat subjects of which Il
49, know nothing with little more caution.
n
he
,e- HEAVY FA1LURE.-W. E. Starke, ESQ.,, a h