Early Governors' Papers

To his excelency [sic] Joseph M^cMinn governor in & over the State of Tennessee

The subscribers here to beg leave to solicet [sic] your clemency in favour of a felow [sic] creture [sic] in the following case, (to wit) Joseph M^cPeters was convicted of horsestealing at the March term of Morgan County Circuit Court. he had been in Jail several weeks perhaps two months before his conviction. on conviction he was sentenced to be branded in the hand to recieve twenty lashes on his bear [sic] back which part of the sentence has been executed on him & further to be imprisoned untill [sic] sometime in October next there to stand for three days in the pilory two hours in each of those days- We have not to complain to your Excelency [sic] of the verdict of conviction We are also very sensable [sic] that the judgment was a very rightious one & such as the crime well merited. But we are satisfied that Joseph M^cPeters is about the age of 62 years, We are also satisfactorily informed that his health is declining that it is almost certain from his

present appearance that he cannot long survive in his present confinement We think it most likely that he will not live to see the consumation of his punishment. We hope that all the benefit that accrues to the public from the example of punishment- also all the good derived by its tendency to the reformation of the defendent will be effected in the case of Joseph M^cPeters ^by what he has already suffered Wherefore we pray your Excelency [sic] to extend your clemency in the mitigation of his punishment so far as you may think consistent with the public good & required by the obligations of mercy towards a felow [sic] creature [sic] suffering in his condition &c

N. E. Anderson [O. T. Thamas?] George [V. Camley?] W. G. Blount Samuel Clark Samuel Sherp

James Robinson William Swan Julian Frazier Alex B. Bradford John F. Gillespy John Munday William Howell

His Excellency

Clinton 9^th May 1820.

Joseph M^cMinn

Sir Inclosed you have a Petition for a Mitigation of the Imprisonment of Joseph M^c Peters who was tryed [sic] at Morgan last Circuit Court Th I was present at his tryal [sic] there was no Defense made for him, there being no attorney at Court but M^r Anderson the Atto. General whose name is to the Inclosed. M^cPeters has been in Knoxville jail a considerabe length of time before court and since - and has rec^d. all the Punishment excepting the balance of the Imprisonment

I am with much Esteem Arthur Crozier