To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 7 June 1804
From Albert Gallatin
7th June 1804
Dear Sir
I enclose the copy of an explanatory letter to the Marshal. Whatever relates to that subject is quite loose. We have no prisons of our own; and the States lend us theirs & also their penitentiaries. These being sufficiently safe for States criminals and in some instances as at New York protected by a constant guard in the pay of the State, no application has ever been made, nor, as I am told, any allowance granted for expences of that nature after conviction.
On that account & to prevent clamour it would be well perhaps that Mr. Page should be privately informed that such expences not being incurred elsewhere, it would be eligible that, by admission in the penitentiary or otherwise, it might cease as soon as possible.
Respectfully Your most obedient Servt.
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 7 June and “Logwood” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Gallatin to Joseph Scott, 7 June, notifying Scott that he is now aware that, prior to his letter of the previous day, sentence had already been rendered on Thomas Logwood; he advises Scott that it “has not been customary” for the federal government to defray costs for federal prisoners after sentencing; if, however, Logwood still poses a flight risk, Scott is authorized to continue keeping a guard, provided he makes “an immediate communication of the expence likely to be incurred, and of the circumstances of the case, to this Department”; Scott should also “take such measures as will be best calculated to prevent the escape of the criminal without the continuance of a guard”; defraying the imprisonment cost for ten years “is inadmissible” (Tr in same, TJ Papers, 141:24410; in a clerk’s hand).