Clinton, DeWitt (1769-1828) to John Taylor
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01459 Author/Creator: Clinton, DeWitt (1769-1828) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 June 1816 Pagination: 2 p. + addr. 27 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Clinton writes that Robert Grey's offense of grand larceny was so aggravated as to force him to avoid recommending his pardon without other mitigating circumstances. Written as gubernatorial candidate to the lieutenant governor of New York. Recipient's docket on address leaf.
Sometime ago I furnished Col. Lamb with the minutes of the trial in the case of Robert Gray
It is a very bad case of Grand Larceny attended with peculiar circumstances
Under these circumstances without a particular of testimony in his favor and in the habit of associating with the worst men in the City he was sentenced for a long period; And you will readily receive that an application for a pardon must be founded on intrinsic circumstance, such as his good conduct in prison, ill health, situation of his family
It would give me great pleasure to promote his liberation by a direct recommendation if his offence [sic] were not of so aggravated a nature.
[illegible] yours very respectfully
DeWitt Clinton
The Hon[ora]ble
John Taylor
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