This report investigates the prevailing arguments and evidence surrounding capital punishment in New York State in the mid-19th century. As a select committee tasked by the assembly, the authors present findings based on legislative records, judicial proceedings, and societal discourse of the era. The report aims to inform the assembly's decision-making process regarding the continuation or abolition of the death penalty, examining its efficacy, morality, and societal impact.

This historical document serves as a primary source for understanding the debates on capital punishment in the mid-19th century. Its value lies in its direct presentation of legislative concerns and societal viewpoints from that period. The report offers insight into the legal and ethical frameworks that informed policy decisions regarding the death penalty.