<title type="main">Thomas W. Riley to Thomas E. Bramlette Edition created from new transcripts of this manuscript. Initial upload of this work's facsimile images and metadata to FromThePage for editing Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Administrator of the CWGK Migration transcription project on FromThePage Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections made 3 edits between June 21, 2025 and June 21, 2025. Dynamic TEI export from FromThePage (version 22.10)

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 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867 KYR-0001-004-2672 BR16-297 to BR16-298

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky 1865-11-27 Correspondence English Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
1

Louisville 27th Novr 1865 Governor Bramlette

I send herewith duplicate of papers enclosed on tuesday of last week which I suppose were lost in the conflagration of the offices, or mislaid in the confusion consequent thereon --

I defended the prisoner without fee or reward, or the hope or promise thereof I do not on my conscience as a christian man believe he ought to have been convicted on the testimony -- But your Excellency was lawyer long enough to know our partiality four for our clients' causes, and that ^we^ abate nothing or our zeal for our charity clients, but rather increase it, though "the poor we have always with us."

I would have taken down the testimoney and sent with this petition, but suppose it unnecessary as the Jury who found the Verdict, voluntariliy recommend the accused to your Excellency's Clemency

2

I beseech your Excellency to interpose in behalf of Patrick Welch, for I do assert on my faith, that in my long experience I never saw a conviction that presented stronger claims on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy --

I trouble your Excellency with great reluctence -- and because I have not done so often before, I am encouraged to hope for a favorable reponse to this appeal -- But come what will of this,

I remain your Excellency's deeply obliged & verry humble servt Tho. W. Riley

3

I presided at the trial of the Cause referred to in the foregoing letter of the counsel, and think it a proper case for the E exercise of Clemency And unite with the Jury in recommending Patrick Welch to your Excellency's Clemency

Geo. W. Johnston ct Judge