Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-12-08
e'a::yeri7:S.

1t was stated i'll a special telegram to The
GAZETTE from Rchmond, yesterday, that
Gov. Lee had refused 10 interfere with The
Judgment Of the courts in The Cluyetius
case. The following is the full text of Gov.
Less letter 10 Clnverius's counsel, handed
them yesterday:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
GOVERNORS OFFICE
hICHMoND, Va, December 7, 1856
10 JHdyc ". W. Crump and MeSsrS IT, r. Pollara
4. BfoWh ErahS and u. T. Crump, Counsel for
Th0masJ. UurcriuS:
Genticmcn-l have the honor to say that have
given to your statements aud to the papers and
petitions presented by you, the prisoner and
othors for the exercise of executive clemency to
llomaS ). Iluyerius. tho careful examination
aud, considerable attention which their import
ance and tho distinguished character and learning
OF his counsel impsra.ivey demanded. The prs-
oner came from the judicial to the executive de-
partmeEt OF The government marked .guilty'' BY
Judges ana jury starting at that point, therefore,
have been diligently studying the record while
lhaustriously seeking information aud evidence
from all other sources which might couclnsivelv
prove TO my mind that the verdict of the court WAS
an error. and that, therefore, the sentence pro.
nounccd by tho Court Of Hastings and affirmed by
NlrSinIas highest court must he set aside or com
mlrsea; with an earnest desire to faithfully exc
cute, without fear or favor, the laws Of the State
lmpartlally to all; with the most profound sym.
rathy for those upon whose hearts this blow must
fali; with coar conscience that | am tlischarginc
my uhsT TO the people of my State rs God has
given me strength TO see it, now write TO inform
you that have not been able to reach different
CONCLUSION from that held by the courts and
therefore, the case Of Thomas j. Cluvcrius is not
one III my opinion to call for executive interior
once, either By the exercise OF the pardoninw
power or BY Communication of sentence. am, gcn-
tlcmen, with great respect your obedient servant,
FITZHUGH LEE.
The Governors decision was conveyed to
the jail by Judge w. w. Crump, senior
counsel, and his son, Beverly T. Crump,
who acquainted the prisoner with it. Clu-
Terius stood the ordeal with the same forti-
tude which has generally characterized his
conduct since his arrest and during his trial.
After the counsel left him, however, it was
plainly apparent that the awful news he
had heard had marked effect, and that it
was as much "a he could do to maintain his
Wonted composure. Shortly after the counsel
leit the cell, several reporters visited the
Jail, and made an effort to SEQ the prisoner,
but when informed of their object bv the
death WATCH" Cluverius said II do not
want to see anybody" Counsel presented
q petition for respite to the Governor YES
terday evening. No time was named. as
that Is left to the Governors discretion. 1t
is the general impression that respite of
thirty days will be granted.
Cluverlus has asserted his innocence up to
TINS hour, but some of the prison officials
think he will soon break down. His cut
ward calmness and self possession during
all his trials since his arrest for this murder
have been wonderful. He hoped up to the
last. At midnight he was tossing uneasily
or his couch. As the death watch looked
on him his face WIGS covered with beads Of
pers9iration, and he ever and anon clutched
The bedciothes nervously and onco in
while muttered in his sleep.
Rev. DR.. Hatcher, a prominent Bapli3,
minister, was with Cluverius for an hour or
more yesterday afternoon. DR.. Hatcher
does not consider it proper to repeat what
passed in this interview DR.. Hatcher will
present an application to the Governor to-
day for respite for the prisoner. The Gov.
ernor said last night that he was not pre-
pared to cay what his course will be in re-
gard to this prayer.
In conversation vest rlay with DR.. Z. C. john
son Cilvcrius said; My conscience is clear: l
nave committed no crime l am Innocent of the
charges brought against me, and if have to fall,
1t will be with my face forward, and then tho
world Will know my innocence and then dis
cover their mistake, even lift is too Late That his
co.; Scionco is clear; that he is aware of the fart
mat he has to face tho Almighty at one time or
another and he believes that with his clear CON
science he will DO able TO pass without 4 bur
above, even Though ho WAS cGnsurcd here