<title type="main">Mathew Mullins et al. 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 3 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-0001-020-1247 MG21-110 to MG21-111

1861-07-29 Petition English Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. 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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To Govenor McGoffin

Your petitioners Mathew Mullins A. G. Roberts E. W Knight & Samuel L Swoope would represent that judgment was rendered against them at the late April term of the Pendleton Circuit Court for five hundred dollars on their recognizance for his appearance of William Dorsey who stood charged for attempting to entice away a negro slave the property of the said William Dorsey was from the State of Ohio a young man under the age of twenty one years. He was originally arrested, brought before the Judge of the Pendleton Circ County Court, and upon the proof offered by the prossecution was held to Bail in the sum of Two Thousand dollars in default of which he was committed. He was an entire stranger here. His parents learning his condition appeared, and he was brought out upon writ of Habaes Corpus, and the most satisfactory proof was made that he was weak minded and in fact insane having wandered from home. The county Judge supposing he had no power to discharge him reduced his bail to five hundred dollars which was given by petitioners. The parents of said Dorey took him home to Ohio and caused an inquest to be held upon him and as will appear from the proceedings of the Court of Common please Pleas for Hancock County Ohio, he was was found to be insane, and committed to the Lunatic Assylum where he has ever since been held and hence his failure to appear. It was the general opinion and belief that Dorey was an insane person, and not capable of committing the offense with which he was charged such was the opinion of your petitioners, and they entered into the recognizance. They refer to a copy of the proceedings before the Examing Court the Circuit Court, and the

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Court of Common Pleas of Hancock County Ohio together with a copy of certificate of the Superintendent of the Assylum where the said Dorey is held- There can be no doubt that the accused was insane. His Parents are of high standing, and would not interfere, or encourage the interference with slavery where it exists- of this Your petitioners had had the most ample and satisfactory proof. They Respectfully request Your Excellency to remit the forfeiture except the costs.

M Mullins Saml. F. Swope Edward W. Knight A G Roberts

Sworn to before me this 29th day of July 1861

G. C. Lightfoot J. P, P, C

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I know nothing of my own knowledge as to the facts and circumstances detailed within, many of which appear in the face of the record referred to, the sureties in the bond are gentlemen who command my highest respect and whose statements are entitled to the fullest credit- On their account I join in the prayer of the petition and I am of the opinion that the remission of the Bond as solicited by them (excepting Fees & costs) would be a becoming exercise of Executive clemency

Very respectfully Your Excellencys obediant Servant W, E, Arthur Atty Com'th

I am well acquainted with all the facts in this case, and know the Statements of the petioners petitioners to be Substantialy true I held the Examing court, and am Satisfied that the young man was not of Sound mind, I think that this is a case calling for the exercise of Executive clemency upon Just and true grounds

Very Respectfully yours &c Jas. J. Hudnall P J P C C