Early Governors' Papers

To his Excellency Joseph M^cMinn Governor for the State of Tennessee

The undersigned petitioners beg leave to state to Your excellency that Sometime since Samuel Overton a citizen of Smith County Tennessee was arrested and brought to trial for an ? the offence of Stab =bing a certain Joel M Watkins; Your Petitioners State the evidence [addressed?] on the trial was that the Said Overton was much aggraveted [sic] on by the prosecutor, at the time of the offence is stated to have been committed, that the prosecutor had the reputation of being a quarrelsome man who would often endeavor to oppress and domineer over those, who would [bear?] his conduct: Your Petitioners State that the said Overton has always maintained a fair and upright character, a man both in public and private life has acted in such an exemplary and praiseworthy manner and deserves the highest respect of all his neighbours and acquaintancesthat this is the first infraction of the law if it is so considered, that with which the Defendant was ever charged- that he has resided in Virginia and Tennessee and in both places has secured to himself the reputation of being one of the most or= derly and Civil men known in Society - Your petitioners further state that: said