Mat Wilson States that he was well acquainted with Ja^s S Dawson the accused he was very young had no education, and naturally of weak mind He never heard him suspected of crime before and from all the information that he could get in regrard ^his character^ to [...] he believed that ^he was^ honest, and thinks if he had Stood his trial he would been acquited. He says the Sister who Baild him are very poor and humble, their only property being an [...] interest in a small tract of land of about thirty five acres, and five or six [...] They are orphans their Father and Mother both are dead and they had no one to protect or aid them, and they are unable to pay this Judgment without the Sale of their land, which will be [...] him I would consider it an act of great clemency in your excellency to remit this Judgment and believe under the circumstances that it ought to be done.

Matthew Wilson

Sworn to before me by Mat Wilson on the the 18^th day of March 1861.

W. W. Howard D C