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explaining my position as one of the State Officers.

The powers and duties of my office are only Ministerial, & not Executive. If they were Executive, I should have no hesitation in respiting the unfortunate person, or affording full opportunity for the proper steps to be taken to have his punishment comminuted. 

And I do not doubt for a moment, that if the Governor was here, he would at once, grant the respite. He is expected to be at home on Wednesday night;- of the certainty of his reaching home at that time, I fear there is no room for doubt, and feel assured that none would regret more than himself, the