1

To his Excellency Samuel Houston; Governor
in and over the state of Tennessee.

We your petitioners; citizens of Wilson county, feeling deep soli
=citude; for the rescue of a fellow=being; & not feeling it
only, from that principle of our common nature; which
is ever prompt & ready, to save the sinking, even without
a thought upon the cause of the calamity: - but
from a thorough conviction, that the punishment in reserve
for this victim of the Law; is widely disproportioned to
the offence. In confirmation of which, let facts be
submitted to your candid mind.

James Nelms; the object of our anxiety, & we
hope, of your ^Excellency's clemency, is convicted for the abduction of
three negroes, the property of Thomas P. Hollman of
Wilson county; for which offence; the 1^st Saturday of
the 4^th monday in June; is set apart for his execution

Now be it known, that a certain Noah Walker,
of Wilson county, having once a claim to these slaves, and
yet supposing himself not rightfully disseized of the same
used means, & notorious means, to influence this unfortu
=nate man to the commission of this offence against private
rights. Said Nelms is an illiterate man, a very
poor man & one upon whom a suffering wife & seven