Elkton Decr 14^th 1865
To his Excellency Tho^s E Bramlette
Gov of Ky

The undersigned would state that at the Oct term of the Todd Circuit Court George Athison was tried on an indictment for Grand Larceny & Convicted and his punishment fixed at two years Confinement in the Penetentiary of the state

The testimony in substance was that D K Nichols a grocer missed from his drawer more than twelve months prior to Oct 1865 & suspecting young A, as the thief charged him with the taking when Atchison gave the up the money except a few Dollars Nichols recognised the money as the same taken from the Drawer Atchison was seen n[...]ear grocery Door after dark the night money was taken on his trial counsel appointed by the Court defended him — He was suffering from a wound received a short time previously

Atchison was quite young at the time of the Commision of the offense I do not believe that the offense was a consequence of moral turpitude or depravity Young A^s parents and Family are reputed honest industrious [...]people possessing more than ordinary inteligence I think his youth & inexperience his former good conduct

The abscence of moral depravity the crippled condition of Young A the character & reputation of his Parents & family require the interposition of Executive clemency I believe this act of youthful indiscretion & reckless resulted asmuch more from the recklessness of the time than want of honesty I was one of the Counsel appointed to defend said Atchison, believed then as I now do that he should be dealt with in mercy —

J A Russell

I am well acquainted with Young Achison and his Parents, witnessed his [...] and endorse the Statements above made by Mr J A Russell that 14^th Decr 1865

J. G. Hollingsworth Judge Todd. Co

M^r S W Kennedy is not in Town I am confident he would also indorse the above he was one of the Counsel appointed to defend

Jas Russell