Louisville Ky April 1^st 1864
Gov^r T. E. Bramlett
Frankfort Ky —

Dear Gov^r

My friends Major Wall & W^m Swiney Esq^r will visit your Excellency for the purpose of appealing to your clemency in behalf of Tho^s B. Lawton who has been convicted of robbery in the M^cLean Circuit Court — and sentenced to three years confinement in the penatinteary of the State — I know nothing of the circumstances of the case aside from the statements of these gentlemen. But I have known the young man & his father and mother for years — They were honest religious people- The young man has a very

Ordinary mind. He was regarded by all who Knew him prior to the rebellion as an innocent unoffending industrious boy — Just such a youth as would be likely to be gulled and led off by the great tide of rebellion that swept over that section of the stat — From my Knowledge of him — and the statements of the gentlemen. I am Satisfied that it is one of those cases that demand the interposition of Executive Clemency — And I therefore respectfully urge Your Excellency to interfere and release him

I am Gov^r
Very Truly Yours
J M Shackelford