{Revenue Stamp}Dec 30^th 1863
J M B.

State of Kentucky
Nelson County, } Sct.
To his Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky-

The petitioners James M. Brown and John A MacKay would respectfully state that in the year 1853, they, as partners owned and Stood a Jack-ass in this County at the price of $[...] each Mare. put — They paid said sum of $[...] as tax due the State, to the Sheriff of Nelson County and obtained said Sheriff's receipt therefor, and they say said tax money was paid unto the State Treasury by s^d Shff upon his settlement with the Auditor —

But they say on account of their failing to obtain a License from the Clerk of the County Court as required by Law they were endicted by the Grand Jury and fined $25.⁰⁰ and Costs- and this Judgment for Twenty five Dollars in favor of the Commonwealth, still Stands against them uncollected but in full force. ^except $5.⁰⁰ paid the Commonwealths attorney which he agreed to take in full of his claim — ^ The Costs, including the taxes fee to the Commonwealths Attorney, have been paid-

Now your petitioners say the way they were led into ^this^ difficulty was as follows- After having paid the tax to the State and obtained the sheriffs Receipt therefore, they proceeded to the County Court Clerk of the County. J. D. Elliott Esq then acting and duly qualified as such officer — and

Offered to take the requisite oath and obtain a License as required by the Statute. and then enquired of said clerk what the fee would be for his services- He replied one Dollar- that the County Seal had to be affixed to s^d License & the tax on the seal would be 50 cents and the Clerks fee 50 cents- making the Dollar — Your Petitioners replied that such additional tax and charges were not imposed upon the people of Bullitt or Spencer Counties by their Clerks — that they had never before been required to pay the same- did not believe it was right, and would not pay it. And they therefore failed to get the Clerk's License to stand s^d Jack.

Your petitioners allige that many and they believe most of the County Court Clerks of the State even to this day do not affix the County Seal to such Licenses, and only charge 25 cents fee for a License

Wherefore. Your Petitioners ask to be releasd and discharged from the payment of said fine or Judgment for $25.⁰⁰ They pray for the exercise of the remiting power vested in ^the^ Governor by the Constituion- as proper and Just in this matter. They filed herewith a certificate copy of the Judgment afs^d marked (A)

James M. Brown

Sworn to before me by James M Brown this 30^th December 1863,

E, E, McKay Notary Public of Nelson County,

{E. E. M^cKAY
NOTARY PUBLIC
NELSON COUNTY, KY.}