Early Governors' Papers

I John C. Hamilton Judge of the ninth Judicial circuit in the State of Tennessee - certify that at a circuit court held for the county Henderson, in said circuit on the 3nd Monday in October 1828. William Walden was brought to the bar of the court, for trial upon an indictment for the murder of William B Smith, wherupon it was suggested to the court, that the said Walden had become insane, since pleading to the indictment wherupon a jury was by my directions impanelled to try the fact of insanity and the said jury returned as their verdict, that the said William Walden, was insane from the visitation of God. That by the Laws he can never be tried as long as he remains insane. And to keep him confined waiting for a restoration of his intellectual powers; or a lucid interval, would be [met?], ^and not subserve the ends of Justice or the violated laws and was done having been adduced to my satisfaction that imprisonment, would rather increase that improve his the malady than improve his mind, and that his life, would be greatly endangered by imprisonment - It is considered by the said court, that the said William Walden, is a fit object for Executive clemency, and as such he is recommended to the Executive of Tennessee for pardon

Given under my hand this 29th of October 1828

[J C Hamilton]] Judge &c

His Excellency Saml Houston Nashville Tennessee

Waldens Case

Wrote to L Talbot 26 Jan 29