1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Eddy, 9 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Sanguinary Penal Laws of Europe, wch. were continued in their full extent in the United States, very soon claimed the attention of a people attached to principles of Freedom, Moderation & Justice—The Province of Pennsylvania under the Administration of the virtuous Penn early, but in vain, attempted the Establishment of a Code of Laws by which each crime received a punishment in proportion...