Barren County Ky
Jany 1863
Hon: James F Robertson

Dear Sir — I am a close neighbor and acquaintance of your Petitioner James M Doty — I have read his petition to your Excellency and know the statements therein ^made^ are true — During the origin and progress of this revolution — I have been an anxious observer of men and things in the neighbourhood in which I live — And it affords me pleasure to State, that whilst your Petitioner was recognized as belonging to the revolutionary part — he was never active, save in smoothing its asperation, and in his efforts to secure the personal and pecuniary safety, of the loyal men of his neighbourhood — In the absence of any protection from the government, the loyal men around him, had nothing to shield them from violence — during that terrible and ever memorable reign of terror — but the considerable kindness and interposition of your Petitioner — This was exercised by him to such an extent, as to cause him to be suspected by his party — And I doubt not, that he was compelled the risk of taking office at their hands, to Secure his own Safety — Now let me assure your Excellency, that the exercise of your Clemency in granting a full pardon, to your Petitioner in the premises — will be as gratefully and as kindly acknowledged by the loyal men of his neighbourhood as by himself and family —

Your obedient Servant W G Rodes

To his Excellency
J F Robertson Governor of Ky

J. M. Doty of Barren pettn to pardon for offenses of usurpation of Office

The matt. in this case has not been tried. It is a very dangerous exercise of my power to arrest the trial of offences if such power exists I do not think any good reason appears to exercise it in this case now

J F R —

63