Gov. Thomas E Bramlette Sir.

I feel that have not been troublesome in urging the pardon of persons charged or convicted of crimes or offences and hence I take the liberty of making the following Statement. Before commencement of the late rebellion, James Johnson was indicted in the Harlan Circuit Court, charged with maliciously Stabbing William Howard, during the war, business in the Court was pretty well suspended, and there was very little effort made for a trial, & since the war the parties have not at any time been ready, for the last two terms the case has been continued, because of the abscence of Howard from the state, the witnesses for the defense live at a distance from the Court House & it will be with great difficulty and expense that Johnson will be able to procure their attendance, if indeed he can procure them at all, he is a poor young man of peacable quit habits, and at the time of the difficulty he had reasons to believe, that his father was in danger of great bodily harm from Howard, he has since married and is making an industrious peacable Citizen.

Last fall before leaving home forwashington, I drew up a petition for a pardon with the intention of presenting it to you in person as I came on to washington, the petition was numerously Signed by many of the best and most prominent Citizens of Harlan County who were acquainted with the parties and Cognizant of the facts, -- It had the approval of Judge Pearl who made and endorsement