Presidential Remission and Pardon of Matthew Stetson by James K. Polk

James K. Polk.

President of the United States of America,
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting!

Whereas, at the October term 1847, of the United States Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts, Matthew Stetson was convicted of Felony on the high seas, and sentenced by the court, to be imprisoned in the jail at New Bedford for a period of seven months, to pay a fine of one thousand dollars, and to stand committed until the same be performed:

And whereas, a number of citizens of the State of Maine, represent by petition, that said Stetson, is without property, absolutely poor, and totally unable to pay the fine imposed on him; that he is the father of four children, who with their mother are dependent upon his labor for support, that previous to the voyage during which he committed the offence of which he was convicted, he had ever sustained the character of an honest and honorable citizen; and further, that by reason of his poverty and needy circumstances of his family, and on account of his former good character, they solicit

that the fine imposed may be remitted, and that he may be pardoned.

And whereas, one of the Representatives in Congress from Massachusetts states, that from representations made him by interested ship owners, he has come to the conclusion, that the public interest will be promoted by Stetson’s being pardoned; and that it is within his knowledge, that the prisoner is destitute of all kinds of property:

And whereas, in consideration of the prisoner’s having suffered imprisonment for the time he was sentenced by the court, and it appearing that he is still confined in prison for the non-payment of the fine, and that he is destitute of property and is unable to pay; and considering that the ends of justice have probably been attained by the punishment he has already suffered, it satisfactorily appears to me that he is a fit subject for the Executive clemency.

Now, be it know, that I, James K. Polk, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, divers other good and sufficient reasons me thereunto moving, have remitted, and do hereby remit unto him the said Matthew Stetson, the fine imposed as aforesaid;

and have granted and do hereby grant unto him a full and unconditional pardon.

[seal on left side of page]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, and cause the Seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. Done at the City of Washington, this Twenty-ninth day of July, A. D. 1848, and of the Independence of the United States, the Seventy-third.

By the President

[signature] James K. Polk

[signature] James Buchanan
Secretary of State

[in different handwriting]
United States of America
Mass. Dist [illegible]} New Bedford August 1. 1848

Pursuant herefore to I have, this day, delivered to the above named Stetson a true [illegible] copy that and also shown the same to the keeper of the jail in New Bedford in said District, whereupon the said Stetson is [illegible…]

[signature] [illegible]
[illegible]

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Pardon. US
Mathew Stetson