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Jonesborough Ten Oct 3rd 1848
His Exc
N.S. Brown
I presented to you when in Nashville last Nov the Sherreff, deputy Sherrff and the prosecutor in the case the State vs George Freeman, who is now in the penetentiary. You no doubt recollect that they three state to you that they had no doubt that Freeman was innocent of the charge, you stated that if there was a petition sent you setting forth the facts signed by as many of the jury & respectable citizens as could be got that you would release him
The petition was sent to you, which I have been informed was signed by the Judge prosecuting attorney, and two of the jurors; but not specified as jurors, which was your objection to the petition.
I have been absent from home the most of the time since, and did not know until a few days ago but that he was released. I here enclose you a certificate of the jurors in the case. The two marked thus X were not at home when the peti tion was got up
Freeman has a wife and several small children, who are very much dependent
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when the (? charitable) neighbours for subsistance Cal Hartsell who is one of her nearest neighbours informed a few days ago that he gave her more than half the subsisted one
This is truly a pitiable case, there is scarcely a person in the county that believes he was guilty of the charge I don't know of one
I do hope you will consider his case & when you do every circumstance communicated with it I feel assured that you will release him and let him return in time to provide for his family through the approaching winter
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt John P Chester
