<title type="main">W. G. Owen to James F. Robinson 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, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons, Remissions, and Respites, 1862-1863 KYR-0001-029-0300 R3-442 to R3-443

Hartford, McLean County, Kentucky Hartford, McLean County, Kentucky 1863-03-30 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 "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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Hartford March 30th 1863 Govenor Thomas E Bramlett Frankfort Ky Dear Sir

At the March Term just past, of the McLean Circuit Court Thomas B. Lawton was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary, for the Crime of robbery.

I was employed to assist in his prosecution and did so. And although I am convinced that in point of Law his conviction was just, there are circumstances connected with the commission of the crime for which he was convicted which appeal to sympathy -- and which prompt me to write you briefly in his behalf.

Lawton is but a youth of respectable parentage and connections, and like thousands of others of the young men of Ky. was in the Summer of 1862 deluded into the service of the Confederate States He remained in the Service however, only, a month or two when he voluntarily surrendered himself a prisoner, and took the oath of allegiance to the U. S. and gave bond for his good behavior, And has ever since, in good faith kept his pledge or oath

While in the Confederate Service he took, the horse -- for the taking of which he has been convicted of robbery -- under an order from his Captain --

Whilst these circumstances show, Lawton a rebel and traitor --, they yet relieve his conduct of that

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sort of criminal and fellonious felonious intent which is the gist of all crimes. I allude to the particular fact for which he was convicted.

I have no tolerance of rebellion and treason in any shape. Nor can I perceive that in the commission of those grave offenses there is any legal justification, of the lesser offences which may be committed bythe way, or in the purpose certain of the leading design

Yet in view of the youth of Lawton the excited state of the country -- The many artifices used by the older and more designing to delude the more youthful and unsuspecting, the former good character of Lawton your Excellency, I doubt not will be moved to consider the application which will be made to you for his pardon with favor

I trust Sir you will excuse me for attending this letter upon you

And believe me Ever Your Most Obedient Servant W. G. Owen

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McLean Cir Ct vs Thos B. Lawton