Thomas. E. Bramlette —
Govenor of Kentucky

We the undersigned citizens of Washington County desire to call your attention to the case of Nathan Lawson. who has had judgement rendered against him in the Sum of five hundred dollars ($500.⁰⁰) on a bail bond in the case of the Commonwealth vs — John S. Davis in the Lincoln circuit Court and desire you to interpose executive clemency in his behalf, for the following reasons John. S. Davis had been indicted for Stealing a horse in Lincoln county, Nathan Lawson became his Security in a bail bond — The accused Davis returned home quickly in Washington county and as we believe would have remained there and have rendered himself amenable to the judgement of the said court but from the fact that a body of armed citizens of Washington county went to his house, calling them selves home guards and ordered him to leave the country within three days or, that, they would hang him, within the three days they did again go to his house with a rope to execute their theat threat, for fear of these men J Davis has left the country, and as we believe not through fear of the law — in this way his bond has been forfeited, and judgement has been rendered against himandhis his Security Nathan Lawson in the above named Sum — We humbly petition your Excellency to remit the penalty — for which he would as we believe never ^have^ been liable but for the lawless acts of these men

over whom he had no control —

I Know nearly all of the forgoing persons personally & I have heard of a statement of the facts from Capt F. S Hill, late of the 10^th Ky Infy & have no doubt that — the prayer of the petition should be granted

John M Harlan