Louisville, Decr. 5^th, 1864.
His Excellency Governor Bramlette:
Dear Sir:

I enclose you a copy of a verdict in the case of the Commonwealth against Joseph Gaston, recommending him to the clemency of your Excellency. The prisoner is a boy about 14 years old and one of the handsomest best-looking boys you ever saw— The articles he was found guilty of having stolen were an old copper boiler and brass kettle of very little value. I was appointed by the Court to defend him, he having no friends and no money, and being a stranger, a resident of Salem, Indiana. If it should please you to pardon him I shall endeavor to send him back

to his widowed mother in Indiana

If your Excellency should decide to pardon my young client, will you please send the requisite papers before Saturday, which is the last day of Court —

I am, Sir,
Very respectfully yours,
James S. Pirtle

I find that a copy of the verdict has been sent you by Col. Harney with a petition for the pardon of Seymour Edwards, a little black boy who was jointly indicted with Gaston. I defended both parties, but Col Harney had been employed for the negro boy but was unable to be present at the trial —

very truly
James S. Pirtle.