To his Excellency the Govenor of the Commonwealth. of Kentucky-

Your petitioner John Patterson states that at the October term of the Mercer Circuit Court 1860 he was indicted by a grandjury of Mercer County for the offence of gaming with a slave ^named Alfred the property of Rhodd Kirkland^ and at the April term of said court 1861, a judgement for the sum of Seventy five Dollars was rendered against your petitioner —

Your petitioner further states that the indictment was found upon the testimony of John Semonis Jr, and the judgement also rendered upon said Semonis' testimony alone-

Your petitioner says that on the trial of said indictment, John Semonis Jr, the only witness in the cause Swore that one John Kirklandand John Henry were present on the ground, and where said gaming was going on, and said this petitioner and said slave engaged in said game when indeed and in fact said gaming*

*never took place between your petitioner and said slave nor any other slave and that neither said John Kirkland nor John Henry saw any such gaming at said time and place stated by the Witness Semonis: as will appear from their Several affidavits, filed herewith: and the affidavit of Merrill M William one of the Jury rendering said Verdect. showing the statement of said Semonis on the Trial.

Your petitioner says that he is well disposed towards the laws of the land and not does not intend nor did he violate the law in the case, or was he in any ^way^ guilty of the offence changed —

Wherefore your petitioner respectfully asks the interposition of the Executive Clemency in his behalf. and that said fine saving cost &c be remitted.

Sworn to before me by John Patterson this 26 Aug 1861.

E. J. Polk Examiner for Mercer Co

Affidavit of B. C. Allen-

The Affiant B. C. Allen says that the

Petitioner of John Patterson was indicted and convicted of the foregoing charge and that this affiant was present at said trial and heard the testimony of John Semonis; and that said semonis stated on said trial that one John Kirkland & John Henry were present at the time of the alledged gaming, and saw the same- Neither of which were introduced by the common wealth- Affiant will not be positive as to the given names of Henry & Kirkland but it is his impression that those are the given names.

BenC.Allin

Sworn to before me by B. C. Allen this day Septr 1861

E. J Park Examiner for Mercer Co

To the Gov Com of Ky

The affiant John Kirkland says that he knows nothing of the offince charged in the indictment aforesaid against John Patterson for gaming with the slave Alfred belonging to Rhoda Kirkland nor was he present at any time when said gaming was done

John Kirkland

The affiant John Henry says that he knows nothing of the offince charged against the said John Patterson for gaming with the the slave Alfred belonging to Rhoda Kirkland, nor was he present at the time of said gaming nor did he see the same —

John Henry J. P.

Sworn to before me by John Kirkland and John Henry, this 4 Septr Aug 1861

M Cummins J P M C

we the undersigned petitioners respectfully unite in the prayer of the foregoing petition.

Mercer Cir Ct

Remitted
B, M

$75. } gaming with negro
Jno. Patterson

Iss^dDec^r 18. 1861