<title type="main">James R. Hallam 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 4 edits between June 22, 2025 and June 22, 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, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862 KYR-0001-020-0639 MG18-483 to MG18-484

Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky 1861-02-11 Correspondence English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
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Newport Ky Feby. 11. 1861 His Excellency Beriah Magoffin Governor of Ky Dear Sir,

At the August Term 1859, John J. McFall, then a Justice of the Peace in Cincinnati was convicted in the Campbell Circuit Court of the offense of Solemizing a Marriage without authority, & fined $150, & sentenced to one month's imprisonment The case involved a question of concurrent jurisdiction of the States of Kentucky & Ohio over the Ohio River, & was taken to the Court of Appeals & the judgment affirmed by that Court It is Reported in 2d Metcalfe

In taking the case to the Court of Appeals McFall executed a Supersedeas Bond with F. Stagaman, one of our substantial ^very clever^ citizens as surety.

The Marriage was celebrated on the Ferry Boat in the Middle of the Ohio River, & it was in proof that Justices in Ohio were authorized by the laws of that state to solemnize marriages within her jurisdiction. Mc

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Fall's conviction has had the effect to stop the solemnization of such marriages in that place by Cincinnati Justices

Since then McFall has ceased to be a Justice & is ^now^ unable to pay the fine, & is besides on the other side of the Ohio river & cannot be reached. His security Mr Stagaman has been sued on the Supersedeas bond, & will be the only sufferer, unless your Excellency will interpose. He is bound for the $150 & $2 per day for each day of the imprisonment besides the Costs of both Courts.

I beg to suggest that the payment by Mr Stagaman of the per centage of the Commonwealth's Attorney & the costs of the two Courts, will be hardship enough for Mc him, under the circumstances especially as it is all dead loss to to him, & I therefore request you for him to remit to McFall. the imprisonment & such portion of the fine as your have authority to remit, if your sense of public duty will permit you to do so.

Were McFall within

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reach of the process of the Court, I would not ask this at your hands, but let him suffer, unless he could make out additional grounds for the iterposition of the Executive, but on Mr Stagaman's account, who is a very worthy man I do make the application. I was counsel for McFall both in the circuit Court & Court of Appeals.

Perhaps it is as well to mention, that the suit on the Supersedeas bond will be heard on Friday next, the Court being now in session. Should your Excellency be disposed to act favorably on this application the remission can be forwarded to me at this place.

Very respectfully your obt servt James R. Hallam

I believe the foregoing statements are correct and that Mr Stagaman is a worthy object of Executive clemency

W. E. Arthur Atty for Com'th

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Campbell Cir. ct $150 & 1 mo imprisonment Jno. J. McFall Remission Issd Feby 15. 1861

Remitted B. M.