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
equivocal testimony, whilst they rejected all proof of an
act certainly not more repugnant to nature, as of a thing
impossible, unprovable. See Beccaria, § 31.
[36] 25. G. 2. c. 37.
[37] Quære, if the estates of both parties in a duel, should
not be forfeited? The deceased is equally guilty with a
suicide.
[38] Quære, if these words may not be omitted? By the Common
law, one witness in treason was sufficient. Foster 233.
Plowd. 8. a. Mirror e. 3. § 34. Waterhouse on Fortese. de
laud. 252. Carth. 144. per. Holt. But Lord Coke, contra 3
inst. 26. The stat. 1. E. 6. c. 12. & 5. E. 6. c. 11. first
required two witnesses in treason. The clause against high
treason supra, does the same as to high treason; but it seems
if 1st and 5th E. 6. are dropped, Petty treason will be tried
and proved, as at Common law, by one witness. But quære,
Lord Coke being contra, whose opinion it is ever dangerous to
neglect.
[39] These words are intended to take away the peremptory
challenge of thirty-five jurors. The same words being used 1.
2. Ph. & M. c. 10. are deemed to have restored the peremptory
challenge in high treason; and consequently are sufficient to
take it away. Foster 237.
[40] Petty treason is considered in law only as an aggravated
murder. Foster 107. 323. A pardon of all murders, pardons
Petty treason. 1 Hale P. C. 378. see 2 H. P. C. 340. 342. It
is also included in the word "felony," so that a pardon of
all felonies, pardons Petty treason.
[41] Manslaughter is punishable at law, by burning in the
hands, and forfeiture of chattels.
[42] It is best, in this act, to lay down principles only,
in order that it may not forever be undergoing change; and,
to carry into effect the minuter parts of it, frame a bill
"for the employment and government of felons, or malefactors,
condemned to labor for the Commonwealth," which may serve
as an Appendix to this, and in which all the particulars
requisite may be directed; and as experience will, from
time to time, be pointing out amendments, these may be made
without touching this fundamental act. See More's Utopia
p. 50. for some good hints. Fugitives might, in such a
bill, be obliged to work two days for every one they absent
themselves.
[43] The shooting at a wild fowl, and killing a man, is
homicide by misadventure. Shooting at a pullet, without any
design to take it away, is manslaughter; and with a design
to take it away, is murder. 6 Sta. tr. 222. To shoot at the
poultry of another, and thereby set fire to his house, is
arson, in the opinion of some. Dalt. c. 116. 1. Hale's P. C.
569. c. contra.
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