1

Nashville June 14, 1816

D^r 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?]