Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Johan Adames, 23 April 1806

Philada. Prison
April 23rd. 1806.

To his Excellency Thomas Jefferson
President of the United States
of
America.

The Petition of John Adams,

humbly Sheweth,

That your petitioner hath been convicted at the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, of smuggling a small quantity of Coffee, for which Offence he hath agreeably to Law been sentenced to pay a fine of four hundred Dollars, all which will more fully appear to your Excellency, by the Certified transcripts from the records of the said Court hereunto annexed, that your petitioner is a poor seaman and offended in a great measure through ignorance of the extent and consequences of so doing, and from poverty being utterly unable to pay his fine implores the Clemency of the Executive magistrate, assuring your Excellency that should you be pleased to remitt his fine and restore him to the exercise of the useful occupation to which he has been bred he will never again violate the laws of his Country, but comport himself, as a good Citizen ought to do.—

Johan Adames

his ° mark

The subscribers very respectfully recommend the Petitioner, to the Clemency of his Excellency the President.

James McDowell

and 11 other signatures

Members of the Jury who tried Petitioner

We believe the Facts stated in the foregoing Petition to be true, & recommend the Petitioner to the Executive as an Object for Clemency.

Bush. Washington Judges of the

Richard Peters Circuit Court

Penna District

17 May 1806

May 29. 1806.

Let a pardon issue as to every part of the judgment, except the disability to hold office.

Th: Jefferson

DNA: RG 59—GPR—General Pardon Records.

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