<title type="main">Joseph Ricketts 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-0001-020-1172 MG20-334 to MG20-335

Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Kentucky Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Kentucky 1861-06-05 Petition 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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Greenville Kentucky June 5th 1861 Beriah Magoffin Gov of Kentucky

Dear Sir Several weeks ago I enclosed you the Petition of G W Bryant. together with proof &c asking your Excellency to relieve him from liability on a Recognizance for the appearance of Henry Taylor in the Muhlenberg Cir Court but as the Judgment was not then rendered I suppose you did nothing in the case. I inclose herewith copy of the Recognizance & Judgment & I Petition your Excellency to give the old man the relief asked that is ^a^ remission of the Judgment The facts are these. Taylor was confined in Jail on a charge of Larceny; he was a stranger here & a citizen of Illinois. He employed me as atty- to defend him & informed me that the Petitioner G W Bryant of McLean County was his uncle & besought me to send for him to go his Bail I did so Bryant came refused to go his Bail unless he would write home to his (prisoner's) father in

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Illinois & if he requested the Petitioner to go the Bail he would do so. Taylor did write home & received a letter from his wife inclosing one as he said from his father directing ^his^ uncle to go the Bail. I sent again for Bryant he came saw the letter & went the Bail. Taylor was let out & has never appeared. The letter was forged by the Prisoner Taylor himself as we were afterwards informed by some prisoners in Jail. Taylor deceived me more than any client did no before. He made a favorable impression on the whole bar & on the Judge & it was said generally that he could not be a thief As I was the ignorant instrument of getting the old man into it I feel a personal interest in the matter. The Petitioner Bryant is a most estimable citizen & never would have gone into the business if it had not been for the forgery of the letter then matters were set forth in the papers I sent you & proven by affidavits of the Jailer &c but for fear you may have mislaid the paper I include have made the above Statements

Most resp yours Joseph Ricketts (See next page)

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Greenville Ky June 5th/61 Gov B Magoffin Dear Sir

This is the case I explained to you when in Frankfort last and you told me it was not your custom to interfere until after judgement had bin entered- and as soon as it should be done in this case to send the papers up and you would attend to it

Your Respectfully B J Shaver

June 7 1861. Dear Sir

I have examined Judge Ricketts letter and he has Stated the facts in connection with the case, and I have no hesitation in Stating that this is One of the cases that Executive Clemency might be excercised with great propriety and hope you can exercise the Same and relieve old Mr Bryant concientiously

Your Obt Sert Jesse N Reno Clk Cir Ct Court

Hon B Magoffin Frankfort Kenty

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June the 6th 1861 Dear Sir

Being in the Country at the time of this transporation in which this honest and Respectable old man G. W. Bryant was involved in the unfair case set forth in the letter of Judge Josh Ricketts and being acquainted, with the circumstances &c I cheerful Join in the petition to your excellency for the exercise of your clemmency in the Re Remission of the unjust debt imposed upon him said Bryantold man of the unjust debt.

Yours Respectfully H. H. Harris