THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS WERE MADE BY HIS
EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, TO THE LEGISLATURE,
DURING THE ANNUAL SESSION.
(To the Senate and House of Representatives, January 9.]
By chapter 50, Resolves of 1860, the Governor and Council are requested, in the month of January of each year, to communicate to the General Court a list of the pardons granted during the year next preceding, with such detailed statements as in their judgment the public good may require. In compliance with this Resolve I have the honor herewith to lay before the General Court a report of the pardons issued by the Governor and Council during the year 1872.
No. 49. Henry Phillips. Convicted of arson: Court of Common Pleas, Norfolk County, April Term, 1859, and sentenced to state prison for life. Pardoned for Thanksgiving day, 1872. The release of this prisoner was advised by the late warden of the prison two years ago, and such proceedings were had as led him to inform Phillips that he would be pardoned for Thanksgiving day, and the necessary preparations for his release on that occasion were made accordingly. Pardon was not granted. The effect of what took place at that time was bad upon Phillips, and also upon other prisoners, who felt that he had not been quite fairly treated, and some of whom asked the present warden to urge his pardon. His conduct in prison was uniformly good, and he gave evidence of a sincere disposition to lead a correct life.
Source: Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in the Year 1873, published by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1873; Pg. 968
