Prestonsburg Ky
March 2^d 1861
Dear Governer

Do not become weary or impatient with me for my frequent troubling you or importuning you in behalf of others I deeply feel for the distress of our country in a finantial point of view; but more especially for the class who I petition for who are uterly uterly unable to pay their fines and may scearsly able to suport themselves and families — ; the Cypernatian woman said to the saviour in answer to his declaration "that it was improper to take the bed of the Children and thow it to the dogs — " "ya Lord but the dogs should have the Crums that fall from the masterstable; so I hope you will do as that Good man did rather Grant my request for the faith that is in me than deny them in consequence of my frequent asking"

The claim or petition I send is from an honest poor hard working orderly man and his case is one of merit I believe I have not heard from the case of Richard meek I sent you about the 18th or 20th of [...]Decr

the Petition of W^m Owsley is one of merit and the claim or Petition of Polly Ratliff I know is one of merit and that you may Know from the statement of the county atto who prosecuted the case (John Hawkins)

hopeing to hear from you in each of them favourably in a short time I remain with

very high esteem
your friend and
obt servant
John M Burns