John P. Harrison to Beriah Magoffin
1864-06-21
- Date of Creation
- June 21, 1864
- Place of Creation
- Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky
- Document Genre
- Correspondence
- Repository
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
- Collection
- Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862
- Box / Folder
- MG20-272 to MG20-273
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-020-1131
- Rights
- This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
- FTP Identifier
- 32209539
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- Dates
- 1864-06-21
Citation
John P. Harrison to Beriah Magoffin, 1864-06-21, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-020-1131 (November 13, 2026).
J. P. Harrison.
G. T. Limberg.
HARRISON & LIMBERG,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
NOTARIES PUBLIC,
And Commissioners of Deeds
FOR SEVERAL STATES.
Depositions taken; and all Collections promptly attended to.
Covington, Ky
Hon. B Magoffin:
Dear Sir:
I am well acquainted with Joseph Blackwell who resides in South Covington where I was Magistrate for a year or two before my removal to this City. He is an honest, industrious man with a wife and children. He is now in Jail.
Our Circuit Court began it's sitting on Monday when I was spoken to by Blackwell to attend to his case. I found that an important case witness was absent in Pendleton and that he, had no witnesses to attack the Prosecuting
witnesse's character and that in fact he was unprepared for trial. I endeavored to have the case postponed for a few days, but this was refused, as the Defandant had neglected to have his subpoenas issued before the sitting of the Court.
I am satisfied in my own mind. that the Prosecuting witness, Charles Blevin, alias Pitts, swore falsely on the trial. He acknowledged that he was an enemy of the Defandants, because the Defendant had charged him with stealing his tumblers.
I send you a Petition signed by the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Circuit Court Clerk, and
by ten of the Jury — (the other two are engaged in a Felony case this Morning, and I am unable to say whether they would sign or not.) and also by various members of the Bar. I also enclose letters from John G. Carlisle Esqr and, R Simmons Esqr. together with Petitions signed by a larger number of citizens in Blackwell's neighborhood, among whom are Joel Dedman, Squire minter, and a large number (as I know) of honest, intelligent men.
It will be impossible for Blackwell to pay a fine of $200. In fact it would puzzle almost any man to pay that amount, in this County.
If he were guilty, (which in all sincerity I do not believe) the fee to the Com. Attorney, and the costs, he will have to pay, would be a sufficient punishment.
With great respect, I rely with great Confidence upon the belief that you will at once pardon so much of the fine as lies within your ^power to^ pardon.
Permit me to sign myself yours
Most Respectfully
John. P. Harrison.
Please address to my care Box 303, Covington, Ky. An immediate pardon would be a great relief to his family.