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Hon [Jno.?] G. Shorter,
Dear Sir,
I expected to visit Montgomery in company with Geo. S. [Cox?] Esqr. but the health of my family prevents me doing so. I have read the Petition which Mr. [Cox?] has & which will be presented to you. I am acquainted I think with all of the persons whose signatures are to the Petition. Many of them are the neighbors of Mrs. [Mushat?] & acquainted with all the facts & from what I have heard my impression is that notwithstanding the Jury under the charges & the evidence could not do otherwise than bring in a verdict of Guilty yet had this petition been presented to them before they dispensed, it would have been signed by most of them [?] Mr [Corent?] Col Baldwin will give you all the facts. I will add, that Mrs. [Mushat?] has raised the Boy & is one of the best of women. She does not regard him as a bad negro. I have myself known him many years - it is the first offence I have known him guilty Mrs. [Mushat?] is one of the unfortunate - having lost her husband in service and has a debt of about [$15,000?] to pay which is for her property a heavy debt. If you can consistently with a sense of duty grant the prayer of the Petition she & many others would be pleased [h?] you do so.
Very Respectfully - N.T.Brooks
