To his Excelllency the
Governor of Kentucky

Your petition Robert Burns states that he was indicted in the Fayette Circuit Court for shooting at John alias Bass White in Lexington with intent to kill him, & after the case was kept on the docket of the Fayette Circuit court for a long time, and a trial had in which a decided majority of the Jury were for acquiting your petitioner the case was dismissed upon your petitioner agreeing to pay $50, — & costs, he was compelled to do this not because it was right but because his counsel advised him that he ran the risk of another hung Jury & the costs were accumulating so rapidly from the number of witnesses that it was best to do so, The fine & costs amount to $118, — & he finds himself wholly unable to pay it & will be compelled to go to Jail, He did not hit White. but White wounded him severely White had attempted to take his life several time before, & then fired at him without cause; & he verily believes intended then to kill him, He begs your Excellency to remit as much of the fine as possible as it is unjust that he should pay it.

Your obt servant.
Robert Byrns

Attest Ja^s B Beck.

Fayette Cir. ct
Petition of Robert Burns

Remitted
B M

$50
Iss^'Jany 21. 1861