John P. Harrison to Beriah Magoffin

Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-1131

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

MG20-272 to MG20-273

Place of Creation

Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

21 June 1864

Dates Mentioned

1864-06-21

J. P. Harrison.

G. T. Limberg.

HARRISON & LIMBERG,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
NOTARIES PUBLIC,
And Commissioners of Deeds
FOR SEVERAL STATES.

Depositions taken; and all Collections promptly attended to.

Covington, Ky June 21 1864
Hon. B Magoffin:
Dear Sir:

I am well acquainted with Joseph Blackwell who resides in South Covington where I was Magistrate for a year or two before my removal to this City. He is an honest, industrious man with a wife and children. He is now in Jail.

Our Circuit Court began it's sitting on Monday when I was spoken to by Blackwell to attend to his case. I found that an important ~~case~~ witness was absent in Pendleton and that he, had no witnesses to attack the Prosecuting
witnesse's character and that in fact he was unprepared for trial. I endeavored to have the case postponed for a few days, but this was refused, as the Defandant had neglected to have his subpoenas issued before the sitting of the Court.

I am satisfied in my own mind. that the Prosecuting witness, Charles Blevin, alias Pitts, swore falsely on the trial. He acknowledged that he was an enemy of the Defandants, because the Defendant had charged him with stealing his tumblers.

I ~~send~~ you a Petition signed by the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Circuit Court Clerk, and
by ten of the Jury — (the other two are engaged in a Felony case this Morning, and I am unable to say whether they would sign or not.) and also by various members of the Bar. I also enclose letters from John G. Carlisle Esqr and, R Simmons Esqr. together with Petitions signed by a larger number of citizens in Blackwell's neighborhood, among whom are Joel Dedman, Squire minter, and a large number (as I know) of honest, intelligent men.

It will be impossible for Blackwell to pay a fine of $200. In fact it would puzzle almost any man to pay that amount, in this County.
If he were guilty, (which in all sincerity I do not believe) the fee to the Com. Attorney, and the costs, he will have to pay, would be a sufficient punishment.

With great respect, I rely with great Confidence upon the belief that you will at once pardon so much of the fine as lies within your ^power to^ pardon.

Permit me to sign myself yours

Most Respectfully
John. P. Harrison.

Please address to my care Box 303, Covington, Ky. An immediate pardon would be a great relief to his family.

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