To Thomas Jefferson from William Cranch and Nicholas Fitzhugh, with Jefferson’s Order, 16 August 1804
From William Cranch and Nicholas Fitzhugh,
with Jefferson’s Order
In the absence of the Chief Judge, we the undersigned Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia respectfully represent to the president of the United States that at December term 1803 Scipio Brown was convicted of stealing a Gun & sentenced to receive fifteen Stripes; to pay a fine of fifty dollars & to be committed until the fine & fees should be paid—The corporal punishment has been inflicted—but as he is extremely poor & has remained a long time in confinement during which time we understand he has behaved himself in an orderly decent manner, we respectfully recommend that the residue of the Judgment be remitted. We presume the Circumstance of the prisoner not sending forward a petition accompanying this representation, will not be deemed essential, as we are informed he is an ignorant Negro & probably without Friends.
W. Cranch.
Augt. 16th. 1804.
N Fitzhugh
[Order by TJ:]
Let a pardon issue
Th: Jefferson
is not this the same which was directed last week?
RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); in Fitzhugh’s hand, dated by Cranch, signed by both; endorsed by TJ: “Brown Scipio. his case.”
is not this the same: see Cranch and Fitzhugh to TJ, 10 Aug., which recommended clemency for Charles Brown.
Cranch and Fitzhugh’s recommendation was enclosed in a brief letter to TJ from Uriah Forrest, clerk of the circuit court, dated Washington, 17 Aug.: “I have the honor to forward the inclosed by the direction of the Judges of the Circuit Court” (RC in DLC; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Aug. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Scipio Brown’s case”). TJ issued a pardon of Brown for his fine and costs on 10 Sep. (FC in DNA: RG 59, GPR).