His Excellency, Beriah Magoffin, Govenor of the State of Kentucky:

Your petitioner, John Shields, would respectfully submit his claims to Executive Clemency. On the 28^th day of January 1858 W C P Breckinridge Esq missed a box of jewelry from his office. A day or two afterward your petitioner was standing near the Market House in Lexington Kentucky and one John Easmer (whose affidavit is filed as part of this petition) came up to your petitioner and asked him if he had heard anything of a box of jewelry. Your petitioner replied that he had not. Robt Byrns, a witness in this Cause, was standing and had the night previous bought some of this same jewelry from Easmer, said that a little girl had found the box and stated where she lives. Easmer then said that the box and jewelry were his, and if your petitioner would go and get them he (Easmer) would give your pe-

titioner a part of the same.

Your petitioner went to the house as requested and returned to Easmer and handed him the box in the presence of Robt Byrnes. Easmer then gave your petitioner a gold button for his trouble. This was found to belong to M^r Breckinridge and returned to him. Your petitioner then went to M^r Breckinridge, stated the circumstances under which he had become possessed of the button, returned to Easmer in company with a witness and requested Easmer to go to M^r Breckinridge and give him every thing he had belonging to him.

Afterwarda this same Easmer and Your petitioner were indicted jointly in the Fayette Circuit Court. Your petitioner was tried in February last and sentenced to the Penetentiary for Twelve months. Easmer was afterward tried and cleared. This was in February 1860, and your petitioner has been in the County Jail ever since

He moved for a new trial which was entertained by the court and then overruled.

He then prayed and appeal which was granted but on examining the papers it was found that the instructions of the Court were lost, and your petitioner is now awaiting its order.

Your petitioner states that he is innocent of the charge against him; has been sorely punished by confinement in the County jail for more than two years; is now quite sick and has been confined to his bed for near two weeks. He earnestly hopes and prays that he may meet with Executive clemency and he be released from damp unhealthy walls which have so long confined him.

Respectfully
John Shields

We hope his honour will interpose his clemency in aforesaid case.

W^m C P Breckinridge
Lexington Dec 17^th 1860

We earnestly recommend Petitioner to Executive Clemency

Pardo

Issue pardon & file the other Petⁿ &c with this } B. M.

J W Pate