Early Governors' Papers

To His Excellency Samuel Houston Governor in and over the state of Tennessee

We Your Petitioners would most respect fully represent that at the December Term 1827. of the Bedford Circuit Court a boy of about the age of eighteen by the name of Alexander Orr was tried for horse stealing and was by the Jury upon satisfactory proof convicted Whereupon the said Orr was sentenced by his honor Judge Kennedy to receive fifteen stripes, stand in the pillory three successive days for two hours, be branded, and remain in jail for six months; The pillorying branding and whipping has already been inflicted We your petitioners would state that theier is much in this case to excite pity and commiseration, the character of the boy before the commission of the offence of which he has been convicted, was unimpeachable, even exemplary; His father and relations support a character for honesty, and

modesty unsurpassed by any The circumstances as detailed upon the trial induce the belief that this boy was sentenced to the commission of the crime by a man unconnected with him. We will farther state that the said Orr now manifests the deepest contrition for his offence, and we en -tertain a strong belief that he will hereafter lead a life free from reproach.

We therefore pray your Excelency in tender consideration of the circum stances connected with this case, that you wil exercise your prerogative of pardon, and release the offender from the remaining imprisonment he would otherwise have to sustain.

I have no hesitation in stating that a remission of the imprisonment in this case would be proper.

Will. E. Kennedy

We the grand Jury for Bedford county at Dec. Term 1827 that found a [true?] Bill in the above case full no hesitatio n in concuring with the Hon W E Kennedy

Michael Fisher Foreman N E Caldwell [?] B. [Hinffield?] Wilson Steele Burrell Featherston Moses Wilson Jacob Albright Waitman Gullett Nathan Evans Jos McKisick David Dryden John Norris John T. Neil

To the His Excellency the Governor of the State of Tennessee

Sir

The case refered to in the accompanying petition appears to require of us in common with others on explanation in relation to the circum= =stances therein contained; and feeling an obligation resting upon us & being actuated as we hope by the same generous motive towards the unfortunate individual alluded to; - We would crave that indulgence which we know will not be withheld by your Excellency- in examining the contents of the accompanying petition as well as the other of a similar character which have been presented to you for the purposes therin specify^d-

The undersigned being the persons before whom the said Alexander Orr Junr, was brought when first arrested we trust it is but a fair presumption at least to suppose we should be acquainted with the different views entertaind in the neighbourhood & of the different Circumstances connect =ed with the same.

In accordance then with this supposition it remains only for us to be brief in the statements relative to the affair alluded to; As to the Character of the parents of of the unfortunate individual & himself the papers before you bear sufficient testimony. - The youth as as we presumed being tired of parental government & growing restless under its jurisdiction (as is to be lamented too often the case with youths of his age) was disposed to act for himself In a short time, however, this unhappy occurrence transpired and we can state without Equivocation that our surprize was

Alexr. Orr

No date No [G?] [name?]

Houston B1-f9

To his Excellency the Governor of the State of Tennessee

The undersigned petitioners Citizens of Bedford County, humbly represents to your Excellency; That, Whereas, Alexander Orr Junr. of said County was arrested for grand larceny in September last, - was tried and convicted, before the Circuit Court; held for the County of Bedford, at December Term now past, And that Whereas the said Alexander Orr, was sentenced by said Court, to certain Corporal punishment; and six months imprisonment - and he having satisfy^d the penalty impos^d; Except the said imprisonment - Your petitioners woud solicit your kind aid in the exercise of your Constitutional priviege, to grant his release of the said six months imprisonment.

Notwithstanding, your petitioners are well aware of the great responsibility resting upon the Executive; in matters of this kind. That your duties are high and momentous,- that no trivial circumstance or the commission of high crime should meet Executive notice upon the mere representation of those nearly allied to the Culprit. But your Excellency will indulge us whilst we state that no relative thus asks an acquital. - That no motive but feelings of sympathy induces your petitioners to ask Executive interposition in behalf of a fellow being - an unfortunate youth in boyhood~

In making this address we are emboldened by following the Example set by the Court, the jury, the officers of Court, and many respectable Citizens of the County-; who was graciously disposed to ask favour in his behalf at your hands; though to them a stranger. - much more should we who have an acquaintance as neighbours with the unfortunate individual;- This Character hitherto stood unstained being reared by respectable parents, whose reputation for honesty & industry stands fair and unsullied amidst their aquaintance. - We would alone for the sake of parental solicitude and suffering present this as an earnest of our request, for the relief of distressed humanity-

But other Considerations of equal moment present themselves to our view; numbers did believe and still retain that impression that the un =fortunate youth, in whose behalf this is forthwith presented; was seduced or decoy^d; by some artful and unknown hand; to the Commission of an act, which when done, his youth and inexperience in life, soon renderd an easy prey to the laws of the Country-.

With these impressions, and under the considerations above stated, we are encouraged to ask his liberty - Placed under such pecuiar circumstances, we feel a deep solicitude in the redemption of his freedom - The granting of which your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray- &c.

Decr. 20th 1827.

George C Neill Wm Williams [Hynne Lucilly?]