To his Excellency B Magoffin Govenor of Kentucky —

The undersigned would most respectfully represent that he was at the present Term of the Kenton circuit was fined fifty dollars & sentenced to confinement in the county Jail for six months — under an Indictment for cutting one L. Miller with intent to Kill — The undersigned does not pretent to say he did not cut said Miller — but he denies that he ^ever^ intended to Injure es said Miller He says they were both in a Lager Beer Saloon drinking — & when they were both very much under the influence of Beer — they got into a quorrel & said Miller provoked him with words & violence, to such an extent that he with a small dull pocket Knife cut said Miller on the cheek without any intent to injure said Miller for he Knew not what ^he was^ they were doing — He says he is a poor man & has no other means of support except from the labor of his hands — that he is entirely unable to pay said fine — to pay the Commonwealths

Attorney his fees & the Clerks costs will be very onerous upon him & will be about as much as he could pay — but even this he can not pay unless he is released from confinement & permited to go to his daily labor which will be the only means of making the money — He therefore most respectfully ask that he be released from Jail & from the payment of said fine

Ferdinand Hock

F Hock says the statements contained in the foregoing petition are true

Ferdinand Hock

Sworn to before me by F Hock this 9 day of Jan 1861

R K Sumerwell
Notary Public
Kenton C^o Ky

I recommend the remission of the six months imprisonment — but I think the $50 fine should be enforced

W, E, Arthur
Atty for Com'th