Frankfort Ky
Feby 8^th 1861
His Excellency Gov Magoffin,
Dear Sir —

I have been requested by M^r Henry J Righter of Harrison County, to address you a petition praying for a remission of a fine of $50.⁰⁰ inflicted upon him at the last Nov Term of the Harrison Circuit Court upon an Indictment for carrying concealed Weapons, — I was the Attorney for M^r Righter in the case, and will make a brief statement of, the facts proved in on the trial. It was proved that some time in September — Righter and a man named Smith had on ^a sudden^ altercation and an affray at Colemansville — in which Righter used a pistol — they were tried and fined Righter $25 and Smith $20 — It was proved that Righter was a peaceable young man not in the habit of carrying weapons — and happened to have a weapon on that occasion, from the fact that he had just returned from Virginia where he had been on a trip, to sell Horses. He had carried a weapon on that trip for the purpose of protecting and defending his life and property — and that his home was not at Colemansville — but near Cynthiana. He had not been to his home, since

his return from Virginia, but had just stopped for a day or two, to visit his uncle near Colemansville — The Circuit Judge thought, and correctly, that these facts could not under the law, be given in justification — but they were before the Jury, and though they were compelled to fine, they placed it at the lowest amount they were authorized to under the law,

I hope your Excellency, will extend clemency to this young man, satisfied as I am, that he never designed to violate the law, and that as he is a young man of slender means, and of good character for peace and order

Yrs very Respectfully
W. W. Cleary

Harrison Cir. Ct
Henry J Righter's
Petition