1

To his Excellency the Governor of the State Tennessee

Your petitioners respectfully represent that
at the April term 1828 of our Wilson Circuit Court
James Nelms was prosecuted and convicted for the
stealing of three negroes the property of Thomas P. Hollman
many of us witnessed the trial and from the proof
in the Case, we did believe that it was a doubtful
Case and did expect that the defendant would have
been acquitted of the charges.

Your petitioners further represent that it is
the prevailing opinion of those living in the vicinity
of the place from which the negroes were taken, that
Noah Walker, who formerly owned the negroes, was
concerned & in fact was the prime mover of the
affair; It was clearly established by proof that said
Noah Walker was much dissatisfied about the sale of
those negroes & others, which it was proved were sold
by executions upon attachments, in his absence to
the State of Illinois. It was also proven that Walker
had not long since been endeavouring to sell the
negroes or induce others to sue under his title for one
half of the amount - But the unfortunate defendant
was unable to shew how he got the negroes into his
possession- It was proved that Walker & the defen=
dant had conversations together about before & after the
negroes were taken,

Being well convinced that your Excellency will take
into merciful consideration the case of an unfortunate
individual, who has a family consisting of a wife & seven
helpless children to who are dependant [sic] upon him for a