Early Governors' Papers

although the prosecution has been pending, ever since Janu =ary. He was committed to Williamson county jail, from which he escaped, and together with his accomplice, burnt it down. He aided Clarke in making his escape, respecting which, I wrote you from Franklin. And I am informed by the sheriff there, that Clarke must inevitably have re= mained in safe custody, but for the assistance which Lashley afforded him.-

The circumstances of mitigation which may be urged in his behalf are, that he is lame, and young. From an inveterate white swelling, he is unable to walk without the use of a crutch; though, he is otherwise very healthy. It was not from the helplessness of disease; nor yet from the poverty, exposure, and want, induced by it, that he was tempted to steal; but from the influence of education, and bad company which he is in the habit of keeping. By stating that he is young, I do not intend to insinuate, that it was through the imbecility of judgment, that he committed this offence. What I mean is, that he is young enough to leave a hope, that he is not fatally and irreclaimably bent on mischief. -