1

To the Honorable Joseph M^cMinn Governor of the State of Tennessee

The petition of the undersigned inhabitants
of Maury County respectfully showeth. that at the present
term of Maury County Court one Alfred Wallis has
been convicted of petit larceny on a charge
of stealing one half pound of coffee The court sentenced
him to receive ten lashes on his bare back. As this
sentence though dictated in mercy is still severe.
As the injury to individual property is inconsiderable as
the criminal is the husband of an amiable and reput
=able wife, the father of a numerous family, the son
of an aged worthy and venerable father as he has
suffered imprisonment and has incurred considerable
[expense?] your petitioners hope the end of punishment
is attainded that offender himself will reform. and
that others will be detered by his sufferings from
the perpetration of similar crimes; indeed by these
considerations but him particularly through tending
to the feelings of his worthy but unhappy relatives
your petitioners earnestly recommend him to the mercy
of the execution and pray that his crime may
be pardoned and that he may be free from
the infamy of a public whipping

James L. Sandford JP
John Matthews, JP
the first 3 are the court
before [when?] Wallace was tried

James Black JP
Sam. M. Dowell J Peace
Nimrod Porter