To Govenor Bramlete

The undersigned your Petitioner states that at the last term of the Fayette Circuit Court he was fined the sum of $1000 — in all for the following cases, for giving spirituous liquors to slaves $50 — in 13 several cases, and $300 for disorderly house & $50 — for suffering unlawful assembly of slaves on his premises. He states that he never soldor gave liquor to slaves as charged unlawfully; yet the appearances were against him. The disorderly house case & suffering unlawful assembly of slaves on his premises were made out by the same state of facts. He has his house & grocery store just on the corner of short street & Georgetown road, in Lexington & the negroes from twofactorys, beyond him, passed into town by

the two roads meiting at his corner & there they met & parted on their return & congregated on his pavement & in the present state of that population & for six months past, he could not drive them off & this was the assembling that was construed to make an disorderly house & an unlawful assembly" of slaves & none other — There was no evidence of any disorder in the house & now except the congregation of negroes & their loud talking & laughing on the corner pavements as stated. He says that he keeps a retail grocery store of as good character as any in the city &c & keeps a general & good assortment of groceries of nearly all kinds & has as good & genteel a custom as any establishment in the city. He is

and has been striving to make by his business an honest support for his growing young family & has to depend greatly upon his credit & good name & prompt business character. He appeals confidently to his customers & neighbors generaly. The indictments were produced by the unfounded prejudices ^and malice^ of one man against him. He asks for a remission of the fine as its payment will greatly embarass him ^& is unjust^ — He knows his case is a good one. —

John M Sheppard

Sworn to before me by John Sheppard this 25 June 1864.

Q. Gibbons
Notary Public

We the neighbors of John Shepherd state that he keeps an orderly grocery store & has on hands a good & general assortment of such articles ^as^ are usual in that business & he is industrious attentive & sober & has a good custom. — We cheerfully recommend his case to the Governor & believe his statements to be true

A T Parker
W S. M^cChesney
Samuel M^cMeekin

I know John Shepherd and deal with him — I was not counsel for him — I believe his statements to be true — Those who know him best speak well of him & he is a worthy man & I earnestly recommend his case to your favor. I believe it is one deserving a remission.

Yours & c
Jn^o B [Huston]