New Castle: Dec^r 19. 1862
Friend J. L. Scott

At the last Sep^r Term a fine was awarded ag^t John P. Beale of Carrol County for $50. for carrying Concealed Weapons — It is said that Beale is a very good citizen, that he did not carry concealed weapon's — that a man by the name of Beckmen shot at him & that Beale in Self defence provided himself with a pistol & walked up & down with it only for a half hour & no longer that he then gave it to his owner — This is all of it — Beale intended to show these facts at Court but two of his children died at Court & prevented him from attending a Jug^t was given by default — He has other important evedence since Jug^t — Now it is a hard Case on Beale — He has gotten up a petition to the Governor which I send to you — do for Mercy's Sake & Justice too. Have this fine remitted

Y^r truly
E. P. Thomas