Early Governors' Papers

legal & constitutional Court - compotent [sic] to appoint a sheriff. The Chairman then as the organ of the Court announced that Hunt was elected & directed the same to be proclaimed & spread of record, which was accordingly done. Upon these facts I think it clear that if no election were made by the first balloting, that this Court who answered the appointment, were compotent [sic] to make the appointment - and that such anunciation was in fact a legal & constitutional appointment of Sheriff. The conclusion then is irristable [sic] that the second balloting made in the evening about sun set, when some of the Justices the firm friends of Hunt were absent, was illegal & void. But should you have any doubt as to the course proper to be pursued on this occasion, perhaps it would be most prudent to refer it to another election -

Pardon me, sir, for detruding my remarks upon you - They may be offensive - but my apology is ^a principle of benevolence to the unfortunate & distressed — Hunt is a poor man — once rich & affluent — but made poor by his charity & indulgence Such an appology [sic] I am sure you will not reject. If therefore any thing which has been said by Mr. Thatcher & myself can weigh with you & assist you in your decision, we will have the heart felt consolation of having thrown the [?] shield of protection over the unfortunate but honest Capt. Hunt. And to you, sir, I know it will afford the highest plea "The poor man with a family" never will apply to you in vain.

Yours. &c.

Will. E. Kennedy