To his Excellency
Governor Magoffin

Your petitioner A. T. Ferguson states that he was fined $350. ^— & costs in the Fayette Circuit Court at the August term 1855, on the charge of taking part in a shooting affray between George Thomas & Thomas Buford He states that he knew nothing of it till he saw them engaged, & having borrowed from Mr Thomas a pistol on that morning. in anticipation of a difficulty with another person He as he considered himself bound to do handed Thomas the pistol so borrowed He beleived from what he saw that Thomas was unable to defend himself from Bufords shots unless he received his pistol & thinking he had no rights to withhold it under such circumstances he handed it to him in so doing he was severly wounded by a brother of Buford, He had nothing to do with the affray shot at no one and thought he was merely doing his duty. He was the worst sufferer The fine against said Buford & Thomas have all been remitted as he is informed He has been absent for many years is unable to pay the fine without requiring sacrifices from the friends & therefore ask the clemency of your excellency & a remission of the fine

A. T. Ferguson

The undersigned request the remission of the within fine