From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Dayton, 17 August 1807

I recieved your letter of the 6th. inst. requesting my interference to have you admitted to bail, and I have considered it with a sincere disposition to administer every relief from unnecessary suffering, which lies within the limits of my regular authority. but when a person charged with an offence is placed in the possession of the Judiciary authority the laws commit to that solely the whole direction of the case; and any interference with it on the part of the Executive, would be an incroachment on their independance, and open to just censure. and still more censurable would this be in a case originating, as yours does, not with the Executive, but an independant authority. I am persuaded therefore that, on reconsideration, you will be sensible that, in declining to interpose in the present case, I do but obey the rigorous prescriptions of duty. I do it however with the less regret as I presume that the same provisions of the law which have given to the principal defendant the accomodation of common apartments, give the same right to yourself and every other defendent, in a country where the application of equal law to every condition of man is a fundamental principle.

I salute you with every wish that the appearances which may have excited the attentions of one Inquest towards you, may be so explained as to establish your innocence to the satisfaction of another.