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#Post#: 7098--------------------------------------------------
Robillard Visits & Cambon Writes To Gov. Roosevelt March
1900- Thumbs Down On Ali Pardon
DIR By: HowBrown1953
Date: July 29, 2026, 7:05 am
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First, the letter to Gov. Roosevelt from Jules Cambon, French
Ambassador to the United States:
To His Excellency Washington, March 17, 1900
Theodore Roosevelt,
Governor of the State of New York,
Albany, N.Y.
Mr. Governor,
On October 29, 1897, my predecessor supported a petition that
Mr. Ovide Robillard, an attorney
in New York, had presented to His Excellency Frank S. Black,
for the purpose of obtaining a pardon
for Mr. Amer-ben-Ali, known as "Frenchy", a French subject,
convicted in 1891 to life imprisonment
for a crime of which he has always claimed to be innocent.
This petition having been adjourned sine die, Mr. Ovide
Robillard informs me that a similar petition,
covered with the signatures of the most honorable individuals,
has just been sent to Your Excellency and asks me to support it.
Taking advantage of the relations that I had the honor of
maintaining with you when you were in Washington,
I am pleased to recommend this petition to Your Excellency's
benevolent attention and clemency, and I take this opportunity
to renew to you,
Mr. Governor, the assurance of my highest consideration.
Jules Cambon
Next, Ovide Robillard's visit to Governor Roosevelt around the
time of the Cambon letter:
New York Times
April 1, 1900
***********
WILL NOT PARDON "FRENCHY."
Gov. Roosevelt Refuses to Release the Murderer of "Old
Shakespeare."
Ovide Robillard, lawyer of Ben Ali, who was convicted of murder
in 1891, has received from Gov. Roosevelt's
secretary a notification that the Governor will not pardon the
prisoner. Mr. Robillard saw the Governor two
weeks ago and asked for the pardon, submitting in support of
his request a petition signed by hundreds of
people. The reason given by the Executive for refusing to
interfere in the matter was that no new evidence
had been introduced which would warrant any clemency.
Ben Ali, known as "Frenchy," is an Algerian, and formerly served
as a soldier of the French Government in
his native country. He was accused of killing a woman known as
"Old Shakespeare" in the East River Hotel,
in Catharine Street, and, after a trial that was made famous by
the atrocity of the crime and the complications
of the evidence, a verdict of murder in the second degree was
handed in. Later "Frenchy" was adjudged
insane and was committed to the Matteawan Insane Asylum, where
he is still confined.
A number of French people living in New York have combined in
submitting to M. Cambon, the French
Ambassador to this country, a request that he use his influence
in securing Ben Ali's pardon.
#Post#: 7100--------------------------------------------------
Re: Robillard Visits & Cambon Writes To Gov. Roosevelt March
1900- Thumbs Down On Ali Pardon
DIR By: HowBrown1953
Date: July 29, 2026, 10:45 am
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Robillard to Roosevelt March 15, 1900
Although the previous post has Robillard physically meeting with
Roosevelt, that
may not have occurred.
OVIDE ROBILLARD
AVOCAT
CORRESPONDANTS
PARIS, 46 RUE STE. ANNE
LIEGE, 1 RUE ROUVEROY
Cable Address- "ROBILLARD"
COUNSELLOR AT LAW
No. 25 PINE STREET
New York, March 15, 1900.
To His Excellency, Theodore Roosevelt,
Governor of the State of New York.
We recently called at the Executive Chambers in Albany to
renew our petition for clemency in behalf of one George Frank,
known
under the name of "Frenchy". Our petition was presented more
than
two years ago to your Excellency's predecessor, but as far as we
can
ascertain no action has ever been taken in this matter.
When we were entrusted by the French Consulate with the
case of Frenchy some years age, we realized at once the general
sympathy which existed in the hearts of the good citizens of New
York
City. We had, therefore, the honor to present one of the most
voluminous
petitions which was ever presented in such matters. This case
of
Frenchy has been for many years past in the mind of the
community, and
the innocence of the poor wretch has been several times asserted
by
the vast majority. According to the opinion of eminent lawyers,
the
case, resting upon circumstantial evidence, it was murder or
nothing,
and if the jury was not convinced of the guilt of Frenchy it was
its
duty to acquit him.
No new facts of importance has developed since the verdict
was rendered, therefore the case stands the same. Frenchy has
always
asserted his innocence, and again asserts it more than ever,
saying,
that "he does not want to die in prison".
We therefore confidently appeal to your Excellency's wel1-
known generosity in behalf of this unfortunate who expects more
than
ever his pardon.
The __ of the Executive clemency will surely be welcomed
by the community; it will act as a relief to public conscience,
and
tear out a sad page from our criminal records.
Most respectfully,
Ovide Robillard
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