1To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 3 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Philip M. Topham of Newport in the State of Rhode Island, Mariner, most respectfully represents— That your Petitioner labours under a cruel misfortune, from which he can be no otherwise releived than by the constitutional interposition of the mercy of the executive of the United States.— That it is now more than five years since, when in early youth, ignorant of the...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 12 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Referring to my petition Sent you in June 1805, I am once more compelled to observe that my distressed Situation, obliges me to request you will immediately take my case into Consideration—I have been in close confinement upwards of Sixteen months; during which time have exhausted nearly my whole property.—and have been kept from Business six years in consequence of the voyage to Africa.—My...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 17 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Philip M. Topham of Newport in the State of Rhode Island Mariner respectfully represents— That he is now confined as a prisoner in the Gaol of the City of New York at the Suit of James Robertson who prosecutes as well for the People of the United States as for himself in that behalf on a Judgement against him on a charge of contravening the Law of the United States passed in...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 18 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Memorial of Philip M. Topham late of New Port in the State of Rhode Island, Mariner now confined in the Gaol of the City and County of New York in the State of New York— Most Respectfully Sheweth That your Memorialist having Sailed on the Twenty nineth Day of January One thousand Eight Hundred from the port of New Port on board the Brig Peggy as her Commander on a Voyage for the Coast of...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 28 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Accept the warmest & most affectionate thanks of an unfortunate Prisoner for your friendly intentions towards him in signing his discharge, but which was defeated of its benevolent object by the quibbles of Lawers & the indecisive & temporising conduct of the Marshall of this City—from the gloomy Cell where for years I have been incarcerated I again address you in the full hope that you will...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Philip M. Topham, 2 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My swelling heart big with emotion which cannot be expressed in words impels me to pay you my grateful acknowledgments for your benevolent conduct toward an unfortunate prisoner I now once more respire a free Air—I now tread my native Soil unshackled by the fetters of Law—This day your Marshall was compelled to sign my discharge and I exult in the boon of liberty which you have bestowed—May my...