<title type="main">George W. Johnston to Beriah Magoffin 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 2 edits between June 22, 2025 and June 22, 2025. Dynamic TEI export from FromThePage (version 22.10)

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 November 12, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862 KYR-0001-020-0433 MG18-174

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky 1861-01-11 Correspondence English Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. 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.
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Louisville Jany 11th 1861. Hon. B. Magoffin Dr Sir.

At the last Term of the Criminal Court for Jefferson County Charles Hawkins was tried & convicted & Sentenced to two years confinement in the Penatentiary for Malicious stabbing of Thomas Murray. The conviction of Hawkins was on the Testimony of Murray; Wm Brown & Jno Koenig. I have learned that Murray & Brown have made an affidavit which with a Petition from the Widowed mother of Hawkins for his Pardon will be laid before you; I know the man Koenig he has bean twice before me on the charge of Pettit Larceny once before he Testified in the case against Hawkins & once since & on both occasions his guilt was clearly Established his Statement is entitled to no credit & had his character been Known to the Jury I am certain they would have given no credit to his statements

From facts which have transpired since the Trial of Hawkins I beleive he should be Pardoned he is poor, his mother a widow & without means they were unable to make such a defense as under other circumstances might have been made. I

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Have not seen the affidavit made by Murray & Brown but understand they make statements now varrying Materially the Evidence given by them to the Jury & which if made then would have Insured his acquittal. hoping you may be satisfied that the young ^man^ has been unfairly dealt by on the part of the Witnesses in giveing their testimony & that he is entitled to a discharge

I remain Dr Sir Your Friend Geo. W. Johnston.

To His Excellency Gov Magoffin

In consideration of the Youth of Hawkins and the anxiety of his friends, and a retraction to some extent of the statements of some of the witnesses in the case I Join in his petition

E S Craig Atto for Comth 7th Ju Dis

Jany 14th 1861,