To his Excellency, Thomas E. Bramlette,
Governor of Kentucky —

The undersigned respectfully represent that in the Spring of 1862 one Simen Shepherd, a negro man, was arrested, in Covington charged with coming into Kentucky, from a free State, in violation of the Statute; when taken before the Mayor of Covington, he was required to give bond, in the Sum of one Hundred Dollars for his appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court. Your petitioners firm sympathy for the helpless man, who complained of being sick, became Surety on his bond for his appearance — he failed to appear and the bond was forfeited and judgment has been rendered thereon against your petitioners, which now, with interest and costs amounts to $[...]. Your petitioners caused to be issued by the Governor of Kentucky, upon the Governor of Ohio (Todd) a requisition for the arrest and delivery of the negro man, as a fugitive from justice, but the Governor of Ohio declined to order the arrest. Your petitioners, very respectfully appeal to your Excellency that the ends of justice do not require that they should pay the judgment, so rendered against them, we behalf of

the Commonwealth. The per centum of the Commonwealth's attorney together with the accumulated costs will amount to more than half the penalty of the two which your petitioners submit is quite punishment enough for an inconsiderate and (perhaps) mistaken act of humanity. Your petitioners therefore, respectfully request your Excellency to pardon and remit the said judgment excepting costs and fee of the Commonwealth's attorney.

Very respectfully &c
John S. Nixon
D. R. Grant

I have no doubt of the truth of the statements of Mr. Nixon & join in asking a remission of the fine.

M. M. Benton
R. Richardson
J. OHara Jr
J. R. Hallam
Acting Comlths Attorney
J S Scott D, C
John F. Fisk
B W Foley Clk K C C
A. C. Ellis D C

I was city marshal of Covington and made the arrest of the negro man Shepherd — He came to Covington, as I learned at the time, to bring over from the Louisville Mail boat Mrs. Genl. U. S. Grant, ^& her children^ and was returning, with his boat, when I arrested him. I knew that Mr Nixon endeavored to have brought back to stand his trial

Clinton Butts

Kenton Cir Ct
vs
Nixon & Grant
$100,

Remit —

Remitted
13^th Jany 1865