Early Governors' Papers

not to pronounce his [illegible] we would remark that he is so far as we can be one a man & of generally bad character

We should ^not interfere to [slay?] the exercise of mercy rewards any; did we not believe the situation of our county requires examples to be made when fit objects for that purpose can be had. The [great?] difficulty met with in prosecuting felons to conviction; & the [easy?] access ^they find to the sympathies of some; which too often brings forth Governmental interferences, have so deposed things that the commission of crimes are now [little?] obstained from or regarded -

We urge these that before you [again?] decide you may be as both sides a [illegible] if the applicant is really & truly a fit object for Executive clemency: - we think he is not

Respectfully yr m^o obt

Tho. Caruthers J. [I?] H. Eaton [Matthews Barrows?] James Kimble [E. Paitchell?]

Thos. Cruthers and others on the subject of John Bowden a prisoner

Publick [sic] service 18^1/2

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn 1816 Knoxville