The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
[29] This takes away the punishment of cutting off the hand
of a person striking an other, or drawing his sword in one of
the superior courts of justice. Stamf. P. C. 38. 33. H. 8.
c. 12. In an earlier stage of the Common law, it was death.
Gif hwa gefeohte on Cyninges huse sy he scyldig ealles his
yrfes, and sy on Cyninges dome hwæther he lif age de nage: si
quis in regis domo pugnet, perdat omnem suam haereditatem,
et in regis sit arbitrio, possideat vitam an non possideat.
Ll. Inae. 6. Gif hwa on Cyninges healle gefeohte, oththe his
wæpne gebrede, and hine mon gefo, sy thæt on Cyninges dome
swa death, swa lif, swa he him forgyfan wille: si quis in
aula regia pugnet, vel arma sua extrahat et capiatur, sit
in regis arbitrio tam mors quam vita, sicut ei condonare
voluerit. Ll. Alfr. 7. Gif hwa on Cyninges hirede gefeohte
tholige thæt lifes, buton se Cyning him gearian wille:
si quis in regia dimicat, perdat vitam, nisi rex hoc illi
condonare velit. Ll. Cnuti. 56. 4. Bl. 125.
[30] 25. E. 3. st. 5. c. 2. 7. W. 3. c. 3. § 2.
[31] Though the crime of an accomplice in treason is not here
described, yet, Lord Coke says, the partaking and maintaining
a treason herein described, makes him a principal in that
treason: it being a rule that in treason all are principals.
3 Inst. 138. 2 Inst. 590. 1 H. 6. 5.
[32] These words in the English statute narrow its operation.
A man adhering to the enemies of the Commonwealth, in a
foreign country, would certainly not be guilty of treason
with us, if these words be retained. The convictions of
treason of that kind in England have been under that branch
of the statute which makes the compassing the king's death
treason. Foster 196. 197. But as we omit that branch, we must
by other means reach this flagrant case.
[33] The stat. 25. E. 3. directs all other cases of treasons
to await the opinion of Parliament. This has the effect of
negative words, excluding all other treasons. As we drop
that part of the statute, we must, by negative words, prevent
an inundation of common law treasons. I strike out the word
"it," therefore, and insert "the said cases, and no others."
Quære, how far those negative words may affect the case of
accomplices above mentioned? Though if their case was within
the statute, so as that it needed not await the opinion of
Parliament, it should seem to be also within our act, so as
not to be ousted by the negative words.
[34] This implies "by the neck." See 2 Hawk. 544. notes n. o.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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