McMinn_Letter_179_48856

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Nashville June 14, 1816

Dr Sir The undersigned citizens of Nashville have learned that a Petition is about to be forwarded to your Excellency to procure a pardon for John Bowden lately tried and convicted in Davidson Circuit Court for receiving stolen goods of a negro knowing them to be such -

Could we indulge the idea that [injustice?] had been done or that it was at all doubtful whether or not he was guilty we would with all unmangeable [cheerfulness?] [interceed?] in his behalf: but when he has been fairly tried & by a Jury of his County pronounced guilty we cannot but view it as a harsh surmise for any to say there is still a probability of his innocence. We know of no man his Counsel perhaps excepted who witness the trial that entertains any idea that the Jury have pronounced a different verdict from that [authotised?] by the [strict?] merits of his case. But even admitting that he is clearly an object of Executive clemency; at this time it should not be extended. Against the Judgement of the Circuit Court a writ of Error is taken ^to the Supreme Court to reverse its decision & [sentence?] it there receives as final determination we think no pardon should be extended The Law should first clearly be in a situation to act before Executive clemency should interfere against it

Independant [sic] of the circumstances of this case which even so strong & marked as that a Jury [hesitated?]

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not to pronounce his [illegible] we would remark that he is so far as we can be one a man & of generally bad character

We should ^not interfere to [slay?] the exercise of mercy rewards any; did we not believe the situation of our county requires examples to be made when fit objects for that purpose can be had. The [great?] difficulty met with in prosecuting felons to conviction; & the [easy?] access ^they find to the sympathies of some; which too often brings forth Governmental interferences, have so deposed things that the commission of crimes are now [little?] obstained from or regarded -

We urge these that before you [again?] decide you may be as both sides a [illegible] if the applicant is really & truly a fit object for Executive clemency: - we think he is not

Respectfully yr mo obt

Tho. Caruthers J. [I?] H. Eaton [Matthews Barrows?] James Kimble [E. Paitchell?]

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Thos. Cruthers and others on the subject of John Bowden a prisoner

Publick [sic] service 181/2

His Excellency Joseph McMinn 1816 Knoxville

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