<title type="main">John P. Harrison 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-0001-020-1131 MG20-272 to MG20-273

Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky 1864-06-21 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 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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J. P. Harrison. G. T. Limberg. HARRISON & LIMBERG, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, NOTARIES PUBLIC, And Commissioners of Deeds FOR SEVERAL STATES.

Depositions taken; and all Collections promptly attended to.

Covington, Ky June 21 1864 Hon. B Magoffin: Dear Sir:

I am well acquainted with Joseph Blackwell who resides in South Covington where I was Magistrate for a year or two before my removal to this City. He is an honest, industrious man with a wife and children. He is now in Jail.

Our Circuit Court began it's sitting on Monday when I was spoken to by Blackwell to attend to his case. I found that an important case witness was absent in Pendleton and that he, had no witnesses to attack the Prosecuting

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witnesse's character and that in fact he was unprepared for trial. I endeavored to have the case postponed for a few days, but this was refused, as the Defandant had neglected to have his subpoenas issued before the sitting of the Court.

I am satisfied in my own mind. that the Prosecuting witness, Charles Blevin, alias Pitts, swore falsely on the trial. He acknowledged that he was an enemy of the Defandants, because the Defendant had charged him with stealing his tumblers.

I send you a Petition signed by the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Circuit Court Clerk, and

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by ten of the Jury -- (the other two are engaged in a Felony case this Morning, and I am unable to say whether they would sign or not.) and also by various members of the Bar. I also enclose letters from John G. Carlisle Esqr and, R Simmons Esqr. together with Petitions signed by a larger number of citizens in Blackwell's neighborhood, among whom are Joel Dedman, Squire minter, and a large number (as I know) of honest, intelligent men.

It will be impossible for Blackwell to pay a fine of $200. In fact it would puzzle almost any man to pay that amount, in this County.

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If he were guilty, (which in all sincerity I do not believe) the fee to the Com. Attorney, and the costs, he will have to pay, would be a sufficient punishment.

With great respect, I rely with great Confidence upon the belief that you will at once pardon so much of the fine as lies within your ^power to^ pardon.

Permit me to sign myself yours

Most Respectfully John. P. Harrison.

Please address to my care Box 303, Covington, Ky. An immediate pardon would be a great relief to his family.