To his Excellency
The Governor of Kentucky

Your petitioners Citizens of Washington County respectfully represent that at the present Nov Term of the Washington Circuit Court a verdict and judgement were rendered against William Chesser inflicting a fine of fifty Dollars upon him and six months confinement in Jail for cutting one John W Hendricks with a knife in an affray in this county — Chessire is now in Jail under said judgment He is a young boy — very poor — but of good character and habits — the proof on the trial showed he became involved in said affray in attempting to prevent violence between his brother and Hendricks and was first struck by Hendricks who was his superior in strength before he used his knife on Hendricks — they were relatives and up to the trial friendly and there was no evidence of malice — Hendricks was not dangerously hurt and is now in perfect health — Under all the circumstances we regard the punishment a very severe one and that the case is, a proper one for Executive clemency and therefore pray Your Excellency to remit the entire judgment of fine and imprisonement —

Nov 11. 1860 —

M R Hardin
see over