<title type="main">John G. Merritt to James F. Robinson or Thomas E. Bramlette

Hopkinsville, Ky., Sept 1st 1863 --

To His Excellency James F. Robinson Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or his successor, the Hon. Thos E. Bramlette --

Your petitioner John G. Merritt, respectfully showeth to your Excellency, that at the March term of the . two several fines were assessed upon your petitioner by said Court upon verdicts rendered Christian Circuit Court 1863oin the trial of two indictments the one for carrying concealed weapons, & the other for disturbing religious worship, the fine in the first case being twenty dollars, and in the second case being fifty dollars. Your petitioner further showeth to your Excellency that, at the time of the trial of said indictments, he was sick and confined to his bed, being afflicted with hemorahage of the lungs, and for that reason could not attend the said trials -- that, if he had been able to attend said trials, he could have made it appear that he was not gulity as charged in the indictment for disturbing religious worship, but that he (at the time said offence was alleged to have been committed) ^was^ at the church as a peaceable citizen, disturbing no one, but was himself disturbed and insulted by others, and that, if there was any disturbance at the time it was not casued by him; but by others. Your petitioner is in the habit of attending the public worship of God, and is fully appreciates the necessity of enforcing the laws

of the Commonwealth whichose objects are to secure the freedom of religion and religious worship -- Certainly your petitioner's reverence for God and for religion and respect for his house and his people, would restrain from such offences -- Your petitioner further showeth to your Excellency that long before the trials aforesaid (say for three years) he has been and is now afflicted with disease of the lungs which has assumed the form of Consumption, and that his affliction is so great that he is now and has been for a long time unable to work for a support, but depends for a living upon the charity of his father. Your petitioner has no property and is wholly unable to pay the said fines --

For the reasons aforesaid your petitioner would respectfully pray your Excellency to remit to and pardon him of so much of said fines as by the law belong to the Commonwealth, and Your petitioner will ever pray &c.

J G Merritt

The undersigned would respectfully recommend the above petitioner to executive clemency & state that the facts in the petition are true, and request your Excellency to grant the prayer of the said peition, for the reasons set forth

therein. This September 1st 1863.

J. B. Boyd (Juryman)

G G Witty

W. T Witty Jas B Witty Juryman J A Witty D F Witty

W W Boyd Juryman Wm. Linnville

J A youngs J moris

G. W Witty

George Golay R A Morris G D Mor J D Morris

R. Knight J S Renolds James Roberts John Ryan A. Armstrong R. Golay S n Boyd

James Hollins

John Linville

J Wagoner

H J Morris

G kinight

J T T. Fuller

R S Fuller

G. W. S. Wood

Christian Cir Court Judgt J. G. Merritt Rejected & ansd12th Sept 1863

Christian Cr Ct. vs J. G. Merritt Rejected 12th Sept/63

Jno G Merrit Pet for remission fine $50 and $20. for carrying concealed weapons & distbg R. worship Sept 12th 1863 Refused Tho E Bramlette