Richmond Ky April 14^th 1862
Hon B. Magoffin
Dear Sir.

There is a case pending in the Madison Circuit Court, the Com. vs Christopher Arvin & B. F. Richardson. This is a case of assault upon Solon M Harris with (as alledged) with intent to Kill. A civil suit was decided at our March term, going to Harris 1100$ damages, and the costs. Now this case falls very heavily upon the Fathers of these two youg men, who are their sureties The old men are men of high character for piety honesty and good behavior, but they are men of moderate me^a^ns. The ^part of their^ witnesses for the defence are now in the army and for this reason Goodloe gave them a continuance at the March term, yet each continuance costs these old men about 50$ which is very heavy these hard times.

Now it will be matter for you to determine

whether their is a case for executive clemency or not, whether these old men have not [...] already suffered enough over these wild and erring sons. Whether the young men have not become sufficiently penitent by draging their aged parents before the Court, and having them [mu^l^eted] in damages. on account of a drunken frolic perhaps aggravated by some previous difficulty.

I have been requested to make a statement of the above facts which I believe to be true. Boath parties are my personal friends. and in fact distantly related to me. I do not desire therefore to become a partizan in the matter. I am satisfied however after looking over the whole ground your own good judgement will prompt you to do what is right in the matter,

Remember me kindly to Cousin Ann and your family, Accept for yourself the kindest regards of your friend

W. M. Irvine