W. G. Owen to James F. Robinson

KYR-0001-029-0300.xml

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Citation
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Accession Number

KYR-0001-029-0300

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863

Item Location

R3-442 to R3-443

Place of Creation

Hartford, McLean County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

30 March 1863

Dates Mentioned

1863-03-30

1862

W. G. Owen to James F. Robinson, 30 March 1863, Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863, R3-442 to R3-443, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-029-0300, (accessed May 2, 2024).

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Hartford March 30^th 1863
Govenor Thomas E Bramlett
Frankfort Ky
Dear Sir

At the March Term just past, of the M^cLean Circuit Court Thomas B. Lawton was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary, for the Crime of robbery.

I was employed to assist in his prosecution and did so. And although I am convinced that in point of Law his conviction was just, there are circumstances connected with the commission of the crime for which he was convicted which appeal to sympathy -- and which prompt me to write you briefly in his behalf.

Lawton is but a youth of respectable parentage and connections, and like thousands of others of the young men of Ky. was in the Summer of 1862 deluded into the service of the Confederate States He remained in the Service however, only, a month or two when he voluntarily surrendered himself a prisoner, and took the oath of allegiance to the U. S. and gave bond for his good behavior, And has ever since, in good faith kept his pledge or oath

While in the Confederate Service he took, the horse -- for the taking of which he has been convicted of robbery -- under an order from his Captain --

Whilst these circumstances show, Lawton a rebel and traitor --, they yet relieve his conduct of that
sort of criminal and ~~fellonious~~ felonious intent which is the gist of all crimes. I allude to the particular fact for which he was convicted.

I have no tolerance of rebellion and treason in any shape. Nor can I perceive that in the commission of those grave offenses there is any legal justification, of the lesser offences which may be committed bythe way, or in the purpose certain of the leading design

Yet in view of the youth of Lawton the excited state of the country -- The many artifices used by the older and more designing to delude the more youthful and unsuspecting, the former good character of Lawton your Excellency, I doubt not will be moved to consider the application which will be made to you for his pardon with favor

I trust Sir you will excuse me for attending this letter upon you

And believe me Ever
Your Most Obedient Servant
W. G. Owen

McLean Cir Ct
vs
Thos B. Lawton

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