Flatcreek Valley Hopkins County
January 23^rd 1861
To His Excellency Beriah Magoffin Governor Ky —
Dear Sir

I am asked by a friend of General William Wadlington of Caldwell County to Say a word to you in behalf of his Unfortunate Son who has been condemned to be hung for the Murder of a man named Cartwright of the facts and circumstances of the Murder I am unacquainted myself Know nothing except what I have heard from others but there will all be laid before you I understand the Jury who tried him have petitioned for his pardon or commutation. I have been long acquainted with Genl Wadlington the father of the unfortunate man condemned he is now a very old man must be over Seventy I would think he ever been regarded as a peaceable sober and highly Respectable citizen of Caldwell county I am less acquainted with the unfortunate Son but have understood that he has been a peaceable civil man until this affair I hope dearGov you will upon careful investigation of this case youwill exercise towards this unfortunate man all the clemency which the case will Justify, there is great Sympathy felt for Genl Wadlington among his Numerous friends and acquaintances he is now an old man has raised a large and interesting family and stands high as a citizen in the Community where ^he^ is know

I am with high regard your friend
W,, Bradley