Whitesburg Letcher County Ky. July, 29^th 1861
To his Exelency B. Magoffin Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Respected sir

Your pettioner respectfuly calls your attention to a judgment that was rendered against him in the Office of Nelson Craft a justis of the peace for Letcher County for $5,00 for an aledged breach of the peace, by one Hiram Hall; The particulars are these.

I called at Halls house to inquire of him whether he had not told my wife that samuel Hall had been guilty of stealing, when he (Hiram Hall) replied he had no knowledg of having such talk; said Hall than stooped down and picked up too rocks; I then said to him that I did not wish to have any difficulty with him, but requeted him not to throw his rocks. We then parted, and he amediately had me arested, and took me before the above justice of the peace for trial, when a jurey was empaneled, and I was fined five dollars and the caust — through pregedest and withe out law.

I am a pecible man, I have lived in this county a long time and never had a difeculty with a single man before the present one; which was holey fauls and spite. I am poor and times is harde and I cannot pay my fine without being greatly embarissed. Wherefore I throw my self on your merse and protection and ask you to remit my fine, and in so doing I will bee your mos greatfale mos thankfull freend &co

your truly
James Smith.

We the sitzens of Letcher County whos names are annexed, being aquanted with the carecter and peacible habites of your pettioner

and beleaving the statement he has made are true and we tharefore join with him in prear to his exelency the Gavener; that he may be released from his fine, and in so doing you will greatley oblige your friends

Remitted
B. M

Letcher Co
J. P.
$5.0.0 } breach
Ja^s Smith

Iss^dAug 16. 1861