63. A Conscientious Traitor
BY TIMOTHY DWIGHT (1778)
AMONG the prisoners taken by the Americans at the battle of
Hoosac, was an inhabitant of Hancock in the County of Berkshire—a
plain farmer, named Richard Jackson. This man had conscientiously
taken the British side in the Revolutionary contest, and felt himself
bound to seize the earliest opportunity of employing himself in the
service of his sovereign.
Hearing that Colonel Baum was advancing with a body of
troops toward Bennington, he rose early, saddled his horse, and rode to
Hoosac, intending to attach himself to this corps. Here he was taken in
such circumstances as proved his intention beyond every reasonable
doubt. He was besides too honest to deny it. Accordingly, he was
transmitted to Great Barrington, then the shire-town of Berkshire, and
placed in the hands of General Fellows, High-Sheriff of the County,
who immediately confined him in the County jail.
This building was at that time so infirm, that without a guard
no prisoner could be kept in it who wished to make his escape. To
escape, however, was not according to Richard's idea of right; and he
thought no more about making an attempt of this nature, than he would
have done had he been in his own house.
After he had lain quietly in jail a few days, he told the Sheriff
that he was losing his time and earning nothing, and wished that he
would permit him to go out and work in the daytime, promising to
return regularly at evening to his quarters in the prison.
The Sheriff had become acquainted with his character, and readily
acceded to his proposal. Accordingly, Richard went out regularly
during the remaining part of the autumn, and the following winter and
spring, until the beginning of May; and every night returned at the
proper hour to the jail. In this manner he performed a day's work every
day, with scarcely any exception beside the Sabbath, through the whole
period.
In the month of May, he was to be tried for high treason. The
Sheriff accordingly made preparations to conduct him to Springfield,
where his trial was to be held. But he told the Sheriff that it was not
worth his while to take this trouble, for he could just as well go alone;
and it would save both the expense and inconvenience of the Sheriff's
journey. The Sheriff, after a little reflection, assented to his proposal;
and Richard commenced his journey—the only one, it is believed,
which was ever undertaken in the same manner for the same object.
In the woods of Tyringham, he was overtaken by the
Honorable T. Edwards, from whom I had this story. "Whither are you
going?" said Mr. Edwards. "To Springfield, sir," answered Richard, "to
be tried for my life." Accordingly, he proceeded directly to Springfield,
was tried, found guilty, and condemned to die.
The Council of Massachusetts was, at this time, the supreme
executive of the State. Application was made to this Board for a
pardon. The facts were stated, the evidence by which they were
supported, and the sentence grounded on them. The question was then
put by the President, "Shall a pardon be granted to Richard Jackson?"
The gentleman who first spoke observed that the case was
perfectly clear; the act alleged against Jackson was unquestionably
high-treason; and the proof was complete. If a pardon should be
granted in this case, he saw no reason why it should not be granted in
every other. In the same manner answered those who followed
him.
When it came to the turn of Mr. Edwards, he told this story with
those little circumstances of particularity, which, though they are easily
lost from the memory and have escaped mine, give light and shade a
living reality, and a picturesque impressiveness to every tale which is
fitted to enforce conviction, or to touch the heart. At the same time he
recited it without enhancement, without expatiating, without any
attempt to be pathetic. As is always the case, this simplicity gave the
narration its full force.
The Council began to hesitate. One of the members at length
observed, "Certainly such a man as this ought not be sent to the
gallows." To his opinion the members unanimously assented. A pardon
was immediately made out and transmitted to Springfield, and Richard
returned to his family.
