Will Jennings to Beriah Magoffin

Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-1825

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

MG23-206 to MG23-207

Place of Creation

Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

14 April 1862

Dates Mentioned

1862-04-14

Richmond Ky April 14^th 1862
Gov Magoffin

A petition was presented me a few days since for the pardon of B. T. Richardson and J. C. Arvine which I cheerfully signed. The offense with which they are charged is the shooting Solon Harris ~~[...]~~and believing there were circumstances attending the case calling for Executive clemency I voluntarily address you this private appeal in behalf of these men. I know them well and am convinced a pardon at your hands would not only meet the approbation of the community but would be a mercy to them. They are both clever honest upright men belonging to as good families as any in this county.

They are poor and have been annoyed by Civil Suits and prosecutions since the fight with Harris (who is a rich man) until they are nearly ruined.

Arvine has a large family and his wife I understand is by no means a healthy woman but almost entirely dependent on her husband. They had some property but all is gone. Richardson has no children but his wife I know to be a most estimable young Lady. Believing this to be a case in which the exercise of the pardoning power would be of great service to the accused and their friends and that the Laws would not suffer in its exercise I have made the above statements to your Excellency.

Respectfully
Will Jennings

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