Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 4
Your letter of the 1st. of this month I have recd.1 Connecticut has no attorney general, but a State Attorney in & for each County, who has no salary but the courts taxes for him what they deem a quantum meruit & that he is paid together with all monies that he reasonable advances for witnesses &c. out of the State or county treasury, according to the description of the offence & the court before which the trial is had. In capital Cases the fee has usually been from £5 to £10—other crimes cognizable before the Superior Court about 40/.- with an allowance in either Case for an assistant to the State Attorney if one is desired, about 30/-. plus is also allowed for an Indictment when drawn by the Attorney, about 10/.- & about 12/. for attendance each term the 308 Cause lies over: before the county courts, which have jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent with the Superior Court, of many offences not extending to Life limb or banishment, the fees allowed are not so high as in the Superior Court by a fourth or third. Thus we have proceded heretofore; but a table of fees in these Cases, was fixd. by law the last Session of our general assembly. I cannot recollect it particularly—in general it is much the same as the allowances before mentioned but in some instances still lower. It will be published in a few days & I will then send it to you. Fees in general in this State are very low, but I beleive the State or Kings Attorneys have usually had as good an allowance from the publick, considering the certainty of the pay, as others from their clients in proportion to the Services done until since the war—now the advantage is in favour of the latter.
I am much obliged Sir, by the recollection you are pleased to express of our former acquaintance, which I shall ever be happy to improve upon by all the means in my power.
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