Christian Heritage Ministries: Articles & Interviews

(new letters added)

THOMAS JEFFERSON'S OUTLINE FOR HIS BILL FOR

PROPORTIONING CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS.

(From the original, in Jefferson's handwriting).

I Crimes whose punishment extends to Life.

1. High treason. Death.

Forfeiture of Lands and Goods.

2. Petty Treason. Death by hanging.

Dissection.

Forfeiture of Goods to relatives of person killed.

3. Murder. 1. by poyson. Death by poyson.

Forfeiture of one half as before.

2. In Duel. Death by hanging. Gibbeting, if the challenger.

Forfeit of one half as before, unless the challenger fell.

3. Any other way. Death by hanging. Forfeiture of half

as before.

4. Manslaughter. 2nd offence murder.

II. Crimes whose punishment goes to Limb.

1. Rape &

2. Sodomy. Castration.

3. Maiming &

Disfiguring. Retaliation. Forfeiture of half to sufferer.

III. Crimes punishable by Labor.

1. Manslaughter. lst offence. Labor VII years.

Forfeiture of half as before.

2. Counterfeiting. Labor VI years.

Forfeit whole.

3. Arson. Labor V years.

4. Arson of vessels. Threefold

5. Robbery &

6. Burglary Labor IV years.

7. Housebreaking Labor III years.

8. Horse stealing Restoration

9. Grand Larceny. Labor II years.

Pillory half an hour.

10. Petty Larceny Labor I year.

11. Witchcraft, etc. Ducking

15 stripes.

12. Excusable homicide Nothing.

13. Suicide Nothing.

14. Apostacy. Heresy. Nothing.