To his Excellency Thos E. Bramlette
Gov of the State of Kentucky

Your petitioner Henry H. McDougall Says, that on the 3^d day of May 1865, he was tried and convicted of an assault and battery, upon one Lewis Swidoff. He was Jointly indicted with one Bluford Sweeney, and they madewere fined $100 each.

He would respectfully State that he thinks the fine was excessive — greatly disproportionate to the offense. He Says that he happened in Swidoff's Coffee-house with Sweeney, and he and Sweeney had Some ^angry^ words, and your petitioner apprehended a difficulty between them, and he Steped round the counter towards Swidoff, with the intintion of preventing a difficulty. Swidoff had a larger artillery Knife ^Sword^ in his hand, and as he steped round toward him, Swidoff Struck at me with it. I dodged the lick. And believing [ever] he would renew his effort to Strike me, I Struck him and Knocked him down, and Struck him a few licks after he was down Swidoff being the only witness, and Sweeney and I being both indicted Jointly — we could not get the facts before the Jury and they occurred; he did not, nor would not State before the Jury that he Struck at me atall. It may have been, that he thought that I was coming round to himto Strike him; but Such was not my purpose.

I am a young man with but Small means, and dependent upon my Salary for a living. This is the first time I was ever before the a court on any charge and this was wholly unexpected to me

If the fine had not been more than fifty dollars I would have paid it without appealing to your Excellency. But as it is, I feel that it is excessive, and more than I ought to pay more than I am able to pay.

I therefore pray your Excellency will remit that portion of the fine whigch by law, goes to the Commonwealth.

Respectfully Henry H. McDougall

We the undersigned citizens of Louisville, would respectfully State, that, the above named Henry H M^cDougall, is a young man of good habits, good character; and an orderly well-behaved Young man. And in as much as we think the fine excessive, and as it is his first offense, we think it a case in which your Excellency's pardon remitting power Should might be properly and commendably exercised. to the extent of the prayr of the above petition

Respectfully

Louisville City Ct
vs
H. H. M^cDougall
$100.
Remitted
2^nd June 1865