Richmond Ky
June 2^d 1862
Hon B. Magoffin
D^r Sir

It gives me pleasure to write you a few lines to your Excellency in behalf of My Friend Francis Searcy — I have read the petition which contains the facts though not stated as favorably for Mr Searcy as the proof would have justified still I endorse every word therein contained after having heard the Evidence adduced both at the court of Enquiry and the Examination for bail. — — — —

Mr Searcy is a respectable man living in a portion of our county noted for its good Morals & enlighted citizens and they have almost to a Man endorced his petition I know him to be a man of worth with a family, a wife and several ^young^ children dependant upon him for their living and I can state so for as I have heard & believe that it would give general satisfaction if you would exercise your executive clemency and relieve him from this prosecution and I may say persecution because I do confidentlylty believe that the Commonwealth can in no event find a verdict against him indeed a large portion of our citizens think and believe that it is carried on more as a matter of persecution to Mr Searcy than for the purposes fo justice —

I can say further that when the Examining court

acquitted Searcy the community Generally approved of their finding and never have I seen a people more surprised than when they learned that the second empaneled grand jury had found a true bill against him after the first had ignored the bill — I hope you will consider Mr Searcys petition favorably and release him of this burthen and heavy Expence and I do believe that your action wil be approbated by the citizens of this Madison County I am

Sir very Respectfully Yours
John G Cole