George W. Barbour to Beriah Magoffin

Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-0072

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862

Item Location

MG17A-146 to MG17A-147

Place of Creation

Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

21 February 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-02-21

Princeton Ky. Feb. 21, 1861.
Gov. Magoffin,

Der Sir: I was one of the Counsel, who defended Thomas B Wadlington and his son, William, charged with the murder of M. A Cartwright in this, Caldwell County. And I have no hesitation in saying that a more [unrichous] verdict was never rendered than in each of thoes cases, yet I can not blame the Jurors, who rendered thoes verdict, as the material witnesses, Prince and Blaylock, for they swore positive by fact, that placed W. and Son in the wrong. That their statements were false, I have not the slightest doubt.

I have in the course of my professional life had much to do with criminal trials, and I can in truth say, that I have never seen witnesses when on the stand display more evidences of untruth and bad faith than thoes two young men, Prince and Blaylock. They were both obscure, but little known at the time they gave their testimony, and whoes characters were unknown, in deed they were without character good or bad. So much so, that on the part of W. and Son, we were unable to attack their character successfully by witness and did not attempt it on the trial of Thomas B Wadlington. Your Excelency knows how dificult it is to get Jourors to discriminate from department and manner alone of the witness as to his being the witness of truth or falsehood.

The Prosecution was carried on by the Relatives of Decd. by great energy and vindictiveness — every thing that welth and influence could command was brought
to bear against the Accused. Judges Hise and Bradley were employed and assisted the Commonwealth Attorney at each trial. Publich sentiment was misdirected by false and unfair reports as to the killing. Since the Trial of Thomas B Wadlington publich sentiment has changed and I learn the character of the witnesses or at least one of them is by his conduct being developed, showing very clearly, that he is a man destitute of moral principal and wholy without integrity.

I have known Thomas B Wadlington for more than twenty years and his son William from his early boyhood, and will state with all truth and candor that better Citizens than they can not be found in this or any other County in the Sate, So far as peacefulness, industry, honesty and integrity are conserned. They were always kind, libeal and generous. As Father and Son they discharged all thoes duties enjoined by the principals of morality social and domestic duty. As neighbors, they were kind, generous and charitable.

Under all the circumstances I do most sincerely hope and entreat your Exelency to grant a full pardon to both Father and Son, knowing as I do that with few exceptions such an act would be grattifying to the People of this County and indeed to this whole Section of Country.

I am not in the habit of addressing the Executive for the exercize of his clemency, but in this cases I consciencious beleave it to be a duty I owe to Justice and Humanity ^toaske for^ a full pardon to the unhappy father and Son, and in making this
request, let me assure your Excellency, that I am ^not^ influenced ofby me [al]by the relation I boure the Parties as one of the Counsel.

With the sentiment of respect
I am your Excelency's
most obedent Servant,
G. BW. Barbour

George W Barbour States that the Statements contained in the foregoing letter are true.

G, W. Barbour

Sworn to before me this 21^st day of Feby 1861.

D C Mitchusson JrD. C.

Civil War Governors of Kentucky is always evolving. Help us improve the edition by suggesting a correction or addition to this record.

Suggest a correction