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Lady Morgan’s Memoirs
Sir William Cusack Smith to Lady Morgan, 24 February 1809
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
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Preface
Vol. I Contents.
Prefatory Address
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Chapter XXIX
Chapter XXX
Chapter XXXI
Chapter XXXII
Chapter XXXIII
Chapter XXXIV
Chapter XXXV
Chapter XXXVI
Chapter XXXVII
Chapter XXXVIII
Vol. I Index
Vol. II Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter IV
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Chapter XXIX
Chapter XXX
Chapter XXXI
Chapter XXXII
Chapter XXXIII
Chapter XXXIV
Chapter XXXV
Chapter XXXVI
Chapter XXXVII
Chapter XXXVIII
Chapter XXXIX
Chapter XL
Vol. II Index
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Commission Court,
February 24th, 1809.
Madam,

I am just favoured with your letter of the 22nd. Your benevolent interference on behalf of the unhappy man whom it regards, required no apology; and as I concur in the sentiments and opinions which you express, it is with deep and unfeigned concern I communicate my apprehensions that I shall not be able to second your humane wishes in the degree in which it would be my inclination to co-operate with them. I fear that under the circumstances of this case, a recommendation, coming from the judge, of this poor man to mercy, might neither be considered as justifiable, nor produce the desired effect.

I agree entirely with you, madam, in thinking that the principles of moral justice would not be infringed by an occasional extension of mercy, under special circumstances, to the case of offences, which, like the present, are not of great enormity in the criminal scale. But taking into consideration the pernicious consequence, in the present state of society, of such transgressions, not only the Legislature has annexed to them the punishment of death, but Government, I am afraid, is accustomed upon these occasions, to act with a severity bordering upon rigour.

I, however, have to add, that any co-operation with your compassionate wishes, compatible with a due re-
THE CONDEMNED FELON.357
gard to the (sometimes painful) duties of my situation, which you can suggest, you also may command. In the mean time, your good sense and your humanity will demonstrate to you the necessity for discouraging those expectations of mercy, which are but too likely to be disappointed; and, in short, for preparing this poor man and his friends for the worst.

Applications to Government in his behalf might, perhaps, especially in the first instance, come from another quarter; at once more correctly and more efficaciously than from me. For the making of such applications I will give you a reasonable time; and, as I have already mentioned, shall be happy to receive from you the suggestion of any step which, consistently with my duties, I can take towards saving the life of this unhappy young man.

With many thanks for the obliging terms in which you have been pleased to express yourself with respect to me,

I have the honour to be,
Madam,
Your most obedient
and very humble servant,
William C. Smith.