<title type="main">Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Richard Hawes, Indictment

Franklin Circuit Court The Commonwealth of Kentucky plff against Indictment for Treason Richard Hawes deft

The Grand Jury of Franklin County in the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky accuse Richard Hawes of the offence of Treason against the State and Commonwealth of Kentucky committed as follows viz

The said Richard Hawes in the county Circuit & State aforesaid on the 4th day of October A D 1862 being a citizen of the State and Commonwealth of Kentucky and owing allegiance and fidelity thereto, yet wholly disregarding the same and did wickedly, corruptly, unlawfully and traitorously, imagine, prepare, ordain, make and levy war against the state and Commonwealth in this:

The Said Richard Hawes being then and there a citizen of Kentucky, and owing allegiance and fidelty thereto together and in company with a very large number of armed soldiers and officers, whose names are at present unknown to this Grand Jury, to the number of Five thousand and upwards, armed, equipped and arrayed in a war-like manner with swords Pistols, muskets, ammunition trains, cannon and other war-like implements and

weapons, as well offencive as defencive, did unlawfully, wickedly, traitorously, and with force of arms, seize hold and occupy the City of Frankfort in the County of Franklin and State of Kentucky, the said city of Frankfort being then and there the lawful Capital and Seat of Government of the said State of Kentucky, and did then and there wickedly traitorously and with force of arms seize hold and ocupy the State house Capitol buildings and Public offices and grounds in and about the Capitol of Said State including the Public records and archives thereof, and did then and there traitorously and without rights or authority of law, and with force of arms as aforesaid attempt to overthrow and destroy the organized Government of the State of Kentucky, and the said Hawes, and the said armed officers and soldiers, while in the Possession of Said City with force of arms, and while holding Said Capitol and Public buildings and archives as aforesaid did wickedly, corruptly traitorously and with force of arms, Publilcly Procaim that Said Richard Hawes was the rightful and lawful Governor of the State of Kentucky, and enjoin the Citizens of Kentucky to respect, regard and

obey him as such, and the said Richard Hawes did then and there traitorously and with force of arms, and without authority of law Proclaim and declare that he was the rightful and lawful Governor of Kentucky and did then and there require the citizens of Kentucky to respect, regard and obey him as such. and the Said officers and soldiers and the said Hawes, with force of arms as aforesaid did then and there traitorously and wickedly as aforesaid attempt to overthrow and destroy the organized Government of the State of Kentucky and to usurp and administer the same with said Hawes as Governor thereof, and said Hawes without right or authority of law, and then and there wickedly, traitorously, and with force of arms, receive and accept the said office of Governor, and enter upon the discharge of the Pretended duties of his said Pretended office. The Honorable James F Robinson being then and there the rightful and lawful Governor of Kentucky and alone authorized by law to administer said office, Contrary to the Statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

John L. Scott Comlth atto 8th Judicial district

Kentucky Franklin Circuit Court

I W Franklin Clerk of the Franklin Circuit Court do Certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the Indictment found in Said Court on the 29 day of January 1863 against Richard Hawes for Treason

W Franklin C. F. C. C

Franklin Cirt Ct Commonweth vs } Copy Indictment R Hawes

a True Bill Geo Hurst foreman

Found January 29. 1863