Petition of George Cuningham, with Jefferson’s Order, [on or before 4 June 1805]
Petition of George Cuningham,
with Jefferson’s Order
[on or before 4 June 1805]
To the President of the United States—
The Humble Petition of George Cuningham now confined in the Jail of Washington County in the District of Columbia,
Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioner is confined for his fine and fees, under a prosecution for keeping a disorderly house,1 As it appeared from the testimony of George Gloyd at December term 1804. Upon submission to the Honl. the Judges of the Circuit Court: they fined him five dollars, Since his confinement all his goods and chattles was taken by distress and Sold, His Wife and family are without a home, only depending on the bounty of their Neighbours,
Your Petitioner farther state, he is subject to fits, which renders him incapable of doing any kind of hard labour for a living. Which has put it out of his power to pay the fine and fees, for which he is confined.
Wherefore your Petitioner prays that you will be pleased to grant him a pardon, Remiting him his fine and fees,
He is the more imboldened to make his application as the Honl. the Court have shewn by the smallness of the fine their since of the Offence.—
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will for ever pray &.c.—
George Cunigham
We the undersign’d Judges, being of opinion that the facts stated in the annexed petition are true, respectfully recommend the petitioner to the mercy of the President of the United States.
W. Cranch.
June 4th. 1805.
N; Fitzhugh
[Order by TJ:]
Let a pardon issue
Th: Jefferson
June 6. 1805.
RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); undated; petition in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cuningham; recommendation of the court in William Cranch’s hand, signed by Cranch and Nicholas Fitzhugh; endorsed by a clerk.
On 6 June, TJ signed a pardon for Cuningham, remitting his fine and court costs (FC in Lb in same).
1. Preceding four words interlined, likely by Cranch, in place of “selling liquor after his license had expired.”