<title type="main">James T. Donaldson 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 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-0001-020-0943 MG19-493 to MG19-494

Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky 1861-04-02 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 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. 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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Bowling Green Ky April 2nd 1861. His Excellency Gov. Mcgoffin Dr. Sir

I understand that efforts are being made to obtain executive clemency in behalf of HenryRufus Jones convicted of manslaughter & Sent from this County to the Penetentairy for five years

At the time the murder occured the act was properly called but by delays in court putting of trial & maneuvering to have an accomplice tried Seperately & cleared; the testimony desired was obtained & by these means no doubt Jones was saved from capital punishment and Since he has been So lienently dealt with by law I, and almost every man I have heard express an opinion think that the young blood Should be Suffered to cool & that he Should not be turned loose upon the community to again perpetrate Some desperate action to be again releaved of punishment designated by the law for Such crimes by the money & influence of his rich Kin, I most Earnestly petition you to give Jones a trade for the full time he was Sentanced for, that he may have the ability to Support himself & have an occupation, the lack of which, may have lead him into disipated company & assosiated him with desperate men who think it brave to violate the laws of the land & brag that they have Killed their man Hoping that you ^may^ think it proper in this case that the laws be executed According to the Sentence I remain very Respy your frd & Obt svt

Jas,, T Donaldson

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BOWLING GREEN Apr 8 1861 KY

His Excellency Gov B Mcgoffin Frankfort Ky

File in Jones Case

Bowling KY Apr 8 1861