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THOS. S. BRYAN,
JOHN B. KNIGHT,
WM. B. MASON.
BANKING OFFICE
OF
BRYAN & CO.
Hopkinsville, Ky., th 1861
To his excellency B. Magoffin
Governor of Kentucky
Frankfort -- Dr sir
A petition has been sent you in behalf of George Long a free black
That petition was signed by our best citizens nearly all of whom feel that they have not done enough having more confidence in the statements of George than in Kintsler the German liquor seller who gave the testimony against him. It is known to many here that this Dutchman was moved by malice That he had frequently threatened George, believing that he had been the means of detecting him in selling liquor unlawfully to negroes. I have been told by two or three who were present at the examining court that his Testimony was entirely different before the circuit court
Since the trial the Dutchman saw the feeling against him in town and offered to sign the petition but was indignantly refused by Georges former master.
I have known George since a boy, have never known him to do a wrong. he is now in Jail His wife is sick and I feel a deep sympathy for him believing this sentence to be hard & unjust I hope you will pardon him
Respectfully your friend
Tho S. Bryan