John P. Harrison to Beriah Magoffin

Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-0450

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

MG18-201 to MG18-202

Place of Creation

Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

10 January 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-01-10

Covington, Jan 10, 1861,
To His Excellency
B Magoffin
Governor of Ky:

I have no acquaintance with Ferdinand Hack — but have learned somewhat of him by enquiry and was present at the time of his trial. I am satisfied that he is not a malicious or dangerous person and that his habits are those of a hard working man. The gentlemaen on the jury who tried him are among our best citizens, some of them being School Trustees in this city and all of them honorable high minded men: I
heartily join with them in recommending Hack to your Official clemency, I am in no ways related to Hack and have no interest in recommending him, beyond the sense of satisfaction in seeing him dealt with as justice tempered with mercy requires. Did I not believe that it would be proper and beneficial to exert your power to pardon in his favor, I could not be allow myself to address a word.. in his favor, I know & feel the necessity in this city of dealing severely with the rowdies that beset us, but as I feel satis-
-fied — entirely satisfied that Hack can in no sense be numbered with that class, I respectfully join in soliciting his pardon.

With great respect
Yours Truly,
John, P. Harrison

I concur in the statements of the foregoing letter — and would further state that I assisted in the defense of the party, but from the peculiarity of the case the jury could not do otherwise than they did. They have however [submited] his petition & I join with them asking your favor in his behalf —

most truly
Your obt. svt.
G. Clay Smith

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