1

Nashville

1 Nov 1847

His Excellency

N. S. Brown

I take pleasure in stating to you in writing the
Substance of what I said to you in person
before the pardon of McKay was obtained.
for He was charged with negro stealing; and tryed [sic]
and convicted before me - the slave had before
the theft been hired to some on in Memphis
his master resided five or six miles from Town
McCay had several times been at the shop where
the slave was at work, where some conversation passed
between them in regard to the slaves emancipation,
the precise purpost [sic] of which I cannot now detail -
the third of fourth day after the last meeting
between McKay & the slave as seen at the shop-
McCay hired a horse & buggy and drove out
some five miles, not so far as Whites the owner
of the slave - upon his return three or three & half
miles from Memphis; the negro; hailed the
prisoner - who drew up his horse - the conversation
which passed there was not heard by witnesses
who were lying in ambush to to watching his move-
ments- as soon as the slave arrived at the buggy he mounted
unto it - when McCay drove off at a fast speed _ these were
the material facts provided on trial. Altho, I refused a new-
trial, My mind was not however far from doubt, as to his
possible innocence; If there had been proof of his good character
I would have given him a new trial-he has been in prison for
nearly three years, and upon the whold, if he has proven a good moral character
I am of the opinion he ought to be pardoned.

Your friend
E. W. M. Keiry