Petition of Peter Colter, with Jefferson’s Order, 11 June 1805
Petition of Peter Colter,
with Jefferson’s Order
To the President of the United States;
The Petition of Peter Coulter Humbly sheweth.
That he is a poor man, with a Wife and four small Children to support,—that he has for sometime past followed the Occupation of a Huckster or shop-Keeper, for which he obtained a Licence from the Honourable the Circute Court of Washington County for the district of Columbia—that he was presented and summoned to appear before the same Honorable Court at their sitting in December last—for Keeping a disorderly House, & then adjudged by the said Court to pay a fine of Ten dollars with the Cost, together amounting to 3130/100$ or thereabouts, as will by the Clerks bill herewith more fully shew—Your petitioner will not say whether it was from Pique or malice, that induced those who presented him, to do so—But Humbly begs leave to observe, that he is Ignorant of the Laws, and prays that he may further observe, that he has never Knowingly willingly or Intentionally violated any Law of this his adopted Country—and that if he is compelled to pay the above fine with the Cost, it will nearly or quite ruin him, and reduce his helpless family to almost beggary—He there fore and for these reasons, humbly hopes the President of the United States will take into Consideration his Situation, and remit the above fine with the Cost & his Petitioner as in duty bound will, ever pray.
Peter Colter
We the Subscribers residents of George Town, have Known the above Petitioner, Peter Coulter, for three or four years—during which time, he has been a very Industrious man & so far as our Knowledge extends believe him to be Honest—He is Poor and has a large family to support, & think him an object for the Consideration of the President of the United States—
Geo. Town 11th June 1805
E. W. Williams
This Petition is intended for the Honble. the Judges in order to obtain their recommendation to the President for a remission of Peter Coulter’s fine.
Believing the facts to be as alleged in the within petition, We respectfully recommend to the President of the United States a compliance therewith.
W Kilty
W. Cranch
[Order by TJ:]
June 18. 05.
Let a pardon issue
Th: Jefferson
RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); petition in a clerk’s hand, signed by Colter; subscribers’ statement in same clerk’s hand, signed by E. W. Williams and 28 others, with signature of Thomas Smyth, Jr., bearing the following notation: “Tho. Smyth Junr—wishes to aid the poor Man from a Confidence in the Gentlemen who have subscribed their names to this paper”; referral to judges in a clerk’s hand; recommendation of the court in William Cranch’s hand, signed by William Kilty and Cranch.
TJ pardoned Colter for his fine and costs on 18 June (FC in same).