Early Governors' Papers

Monroe March 14^th. 1817.

Dear Sir

At the Sessions of the Circuit Court at this place a young man of the name of James Brock who was born and raised I presume in the County of Knox (and with whom & his Relations you are perhaps acquain[ted]) has been found guilty of Horse stealing - he is the Son of a certain Brock who died near Knoxville his mother is a widow of decent connections now residing near Knoxville A Petition will be presented your Excellency for his pardon which I hope he will obtain His petition is signed by a number of the most respectable Citizens of Overton County it met the [minimal?] approbation of the people The Person from whom the property was taken and the prosecutor Counsel Jurors and Witnesses have signed for his pardon the Judge has postponed the execution of the Judgement for several weeks for the purpose of obtaining the pardon several circumstances of alleviation appeared in his favor on the trial - I am induced to believe that all the objects of the law will be answered more iffectively [sic] by pardoning than punishing him W. Archibald