Brown_GP15_Letter_074_51142

Oct 5th 1848

His Excellency Neillis S. Brown

A letter received the first of september last from the Hon C.L Heath, informing me that he had presented my [?] your Excellency, induces me to take the liberty by imposing this opertunity [sic] of intruding a few moments upon your time.

Having committed an offence contrary to the honor and dignity of your state, for wich [sic] I was sentenced three years to this place; having all ready [sic] [?] two years and six months of that term; with a heart full of emotion, I [ve ture?] to [supplicate?] your mercy and pardon for the rest. It is my humble prayer that you may with due regard to justice, as well as mercy, grant my petition.

If I have been correctly advised, it is not the object of legistors to exterminate, but to reform mankind. And since we are not [possessed?] of [infinite?] [penitration?], we have no way to know the heart of a man except he reveales [sic] it to us.

Hence, However culpable we may have been in our past [live?] provided we show an [indescretion?], and express a wish to reform, at some [period?] or other, it is due to justice, that we should not only be pardoned, but accepted and forgiven, "till further observations might approve or condemn us.

Without offence, there is no mercy. without inducement no hope: there is no man who has been led astray by following the devices of his passions, but when these passions become dorment [sic], and reason sways the mind, must [] nearly [request?] any [?] of his life, that his had a tendency to [regret?] or destory himself; and come to such a conclusion, that he may guard this future and secure to himself a man permanent hapiness [sic].

It would be folly in me to [cont? [sic] ] on [future?] intentions; but I can say with a good conscience, that I am proposed to conduct myself in such a manner as will [?] me to the [?] me to the busom [sic] of [?] since I [hope?], [security?]. It is then, the term is but short till the ufll sentence of the law shall have [expence?], but it would afford me [?] pleasure if I could [?] any portion of that time my own.

The chill blasts of winter are at hand, and the cold wintry winds whistle through the crevices of our prison doors, like the beasts of the forest, only whistle through the [?] of our nocturnal dens, who, knows the life and misery of a convict? none! save he who, experiences it, the young [Csatar?] of the soul [?] Islands presents a less fearful [sketch?] of horror to my immagination [sic].

The [Birth?] [informed?] you to the officers of this institution [conserning? sic] my conduct during my confinement.

I have every confidence that they will do me jusice if you think it worth your while to take any notice of my case. It has been my wish to observe the most implicit obedience to my [inspection?] officers, if I have not [done?]