2

with respect to the two last questions
contained in your Excellency's letter, you
will find them to a great extent answered in
the book referred to & transmitted; And I have
no hesitation in saying that the present system,
although productive of some disappointments,
and attended with many defects, is better
than any pre-existing one - And that if it
does not afford all the best means which
may be devised for the reformation of offenders
and the prevention of crimes, yet that with
the improvements, which time, experience, and
human wisdom, may engraft on its satutory [sic]
principles, there can be no doubt but that
all the ends of criminal justice will be
eventually attained.

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your most Obedt servt
DeWitt Clinton

His Excellency
Governor Carroll.