Covington Kentucky
June 25^th 1861-
M^r. Dudly.
My Dear Sir,

Enclosed you will find a petition to Govenor Magoffin and a letter from me to him, asking for a pardon of a young man now in jail, convicted of larceny, and sentenced to the penitentiary for one year. I send them to you, and through you to the Gov. that he may certainly get them, and that his attention may be especially called to it, I trust you will do me the favor to call immediately on the Gov. and urge him to act upon it at once — Young Peak has a widow mother, and an exceedingly clever, honest, and industrious woman, she is distressed beyond measure, & seems to be allmost beside herself — I have obtoned but few signees to the petition but those are of the best men, of our city — The Young man was in my judgement induced to do this and, it is his First, and from his present state of feeling I believe him to be amply repentant — ask the Govenor if he pleases for my sake, pardon this man —

I would not ask it, if I did not believe the young man should be pardoned. I sincerely believe he will do right hereafter and make a good boy & an industrious man — you can read my letter to the gov. and also the petition & better understand the case — If the Gov. will pardon him will you telegraph me of the fact, the young man does not want to go to Frankfort if it can be helped —

I hope you will see the Gov. immediately and urge him to act in the case at once —

All are well —

Give my love to GrandMa, and believe me to be truly your friend & Relative

G. Clay Smith

M^r. J. Dudly —