Frankfort, Ky.
March 15^th 1862
Gov^r Magoffin

I had committed to my care the Petition to Your Excellency, of William Smith of Rockcastle, asking you to remit a fine imposed upon him by the Circuit Court of that County of $50, for a violation of the law prohibiting the sale of spiritous liquors to slaves without written authority from the Master — I have lost the petition —

The facts as set forth in the petition are these, Smith is quite a youth, and at the time was keeping his fathers grocery — as attached to his tavern — both properly licensed on presentment of the Grand

Jury — Smith went before the Court and Confessed judgment

Several members of the jury as well as a number of the best citizens of the vicinity signed the petition asking the Remission also — the acting Commonwealth's Attorney — writes a note to your Excellency, saying he thinks it would be right and proper to remit

I know Young William Smith well, as well as all the Gentlemen who signed the petition, They are all amongst the most Respectable citizens of Mountvernon, and the vicinity

Mr Smith himself is a very worthy youth, and as this is the only misdeed with which I have ever known him charged, I should be pleased to see the fine remitted

Very Respectfully
W. C. Gilless

Rockcastle Cir. Ct
$50 } liquor to a slave
W^m Smith
Remission Iss^d
Mar 17. 1862