To his Excellency the Govenor of Kentucky

Robert P Warring Stands indicted in the Union criminal Court for the Muder of William Buckman Warring has been been absent Since the occurrance and I understand his bad health is fast hurring him to his grave — his Mother will present in petition to you for in pardon I was engaged professionally in defence of another person charged with this Muder, and all the facts Connected with the transaction come out on said trial — the facts are in substance as followeth Buckman lived with Peter Able who had married a sister of Robert P Warring — Buckman was coming home one evening with Mrs Abell, & a short distance from Abell^s house he made a violent attempt on Mrs Able to violate her person, he deserted from his design by the screams of Mrs Able — she reached home her husband being absent she went to her Mothers and informed her brother, he was heard to make some threats against said Buckman to one individual — the next day Buckman was found dead in the road near the place where he committed the assault on Mrs Abell, & neare Peter Abells farm, George Payne & others swore, that they tract a person from neare the place Buckman was found up to Abells house through Abells corn field, the tract had the appearace of a shooe half sold & patched on the side, Able had such a shooe on when apprehended, and the length of the shooe corresponded with the measure of the tract found in the field leading from where Buckman was killed to Abells house — It was also proven by three witnesses, that Just before the Murder, Peter Able was seen on the road leading from a store to his own house enquiring for William Buckman, & that there was hurry in his gate, & he had an unusual appearance & there was a variety of other circumstance proven on the trial fixing the crime upon him — which will be detailed to you by Mr Willis G Hughes who was convicted with the defense

public sentament believes Warring inocent — But if guilty — was he or not Morrally Justified in Slaying the man who had wantonly & wickedly attempted to violate the chastity of a sister I will not reason with you on this subject. knowing your Judgment and feelings will appreciate the conduct of Warring If guilty — I join with his Mother in a prair for a pardon

I am dear sir your friend and obt sev^t
Hiram M^cElvoy

B. Magoffin, Govenor of Kentucky
Frankfort
Kentucky