"I need not trouble you," he says, "with the particulars, but in a word he professes himself convinced that he has been wrong, that the Government has treated him with lenity and forbearance, and he solemnly engages to me to give no more offence.
"Daniel Defoe"
William Minto
This was the cruelty of the Church of England-fatal lenity!
"Daniel Defoe"
William Minto
Then the forms of justice should have been carefully observed; the accused should have been heard in his defence; the spirit of the law should have been the guide of the judges, with a leaning in favour of lenity and mercy; the passions ought not to have been suffered to interfere, where the minds of the court should have been regulated by justice and wisdom; and finally, the judges should have proceeded deliberately, avoiding every thing like haste in their decision.
"A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion"
William Dobein James