Green county Ky March 1864

We the undersigned citizens of Green county & neighbors of Elijah Sympson would respectfully present to his Excellency Governor Bramlette, our appeal on behalf of said Sympson and if consistent with your Excellencys notions of Propriety to remit the amount of the Judgement rendered against him at the February Term of the Green Circuit Court for the alledged offence of retailing or selling spiritous Liquor The Judgment tho small ($20.00 ^cts^) will under the circumstances of this case: the dependent condition of the Deft. and his helpless family, be a heavy burden for him to bear with the cost of the prosecution he is a poor (very poor) man. with a large & helpless family on his hands that need all. the help and assistance that he can give. He is a peacible orderly quiet man, and this is his first offense and this with the proof before the Jury was for once selling only, one quart to one of his neighbors for a house raising occasion. he[...] your Excellency will relieve this poor man by remitting said Judgement

Greensburg Ky March 23^d 1864
To His Excellency Governor Bramlette

I take the liberty to send the indorsed petition to you on behalf of Elijah Sympson The offense for which he has been find ($20) was simply for selling on one occasion 1 quart of Spirits to a neighbor on the occasion of a house raising. This it is true was a violation of law but under the circumstances I respectfully suggest to your Excellency I think there are some Extinuating features in his case. he is a very poor man, and a very illitterate man, a peacible quiet Sober & hard working man. & as he tells me. he did not know that simply selling 1 quart of Spirits, not to be drank on the premises (and this was not) was any thing wrong. This is his first offense. he has a wife and seven little children and he is the only one to work for them & it requires all his Efforts and all his time by daily toil to feed & clothe them The amount is small but it will bear heavy upon this poor man to pay it. If consistent with your Excellencys notions of propriety. We should be gratified for you to remit this poor mans fine

I have the honor to be very respectfully your Obdt Servt
Saml. A Spencer

Green Cir Ct
vs
E. Sympson
Refused