Mathew Mullins et al. to Beriah Magoffin

KYR-0001-020-1247.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-1247

Document Genre

Petition

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862

Item Location

MG21-110 to MG21-111

Date of Creation

29 July 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-04

1861-07-29

Mathew Mullins et al. to Beriah Magoffin, 29 July 1861, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862, MG21-110 to MG21-111, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-020-1247, (accessed April 25, 2024).

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To Govenor M^cGoffin

Your petitioners Mathew Mullins A. G. Roberts E. W Knight & Samuel L Swoope would represent that judgment was rendered against them at the late April term of the Pendleton Circuit Court for five hundred dollars on their recognizance for his appearance of William Dorsey who stood charged for attempting to entice away a negro slave the property of [ ] [ ]the said William Dorsey was from the State of Ohio a young man under the age of twenty one years. He was originally arrested, brought before the Judge of the Pendleton ~~Circ~~ County Court, and upon the proof offered by the prossecution was held to Bail in the sum of Two Thousand dollars in default of which he was committed. He was an entire stranger here. His parents learning his condition appeared, and he was brought out upon writ of Habaes Corpus, and the most satisfactory proof was made that he was weak minded and in fact insane having wandered from home. The county Judge supposing he had no power to discharge him reduced his bail to five hundred dollars which was given by petitioners. The parents of said Dorey took him home to Ohio and caused an inquest to be held upon him and as will appear from the proceedings of the Court of Common ~~please~~ Pleas for Hancock County Ohio, he was was found to be insane, and committed to the Lunatic Assylum where he has ever since been held and hence his failure to appear. It was the general opinion and belief that Dorey was an insane person, and not capable of committing the offense with which he was charged such was the opinion of your petitioners, and they entered into the recognizance. They refer to a copy of the proceedings before the Examing Court the Circuit Court, and the
Court of Common Pleas of Hancock County Ohio together with a copy of certificate of the Superintendent of the Assylum where the said Dorey is held- There can be no doubt that the accused was insane. His Parents are of high standing, and would not interfere, or encourage the interference with slavery where it exists- of this Your petitioners had had the most ample and satisfactory proof. They Respectfully request Your Excellency to remit the forfeiture except the costs.

M Mullins
Saml. F. Swope
Edward W. Knight
A G Roberts

Sworn to before me this 29^th day of July 1861

G. C. Lightfoot J. P, P, C

I know nothing of my own knowledge as to the facts and circumstances detailed within, many of which appear in the face of the record referred to, the sureties in the bond are gentlemen who command my highest respect and whose statements are entitled to the fullest credit- On their account I join in the prayer of the petition and I am of the opinion that the remission of the Bond as solicited by them (excepting Fees & costs) would be a becoming exercise of Executive clemency

Very respectfully Your Excellencys obediant Servant
W, E, Arthur
Atty Com'th

I am well acquainted with all the facts in this case, and know the Statements of the ~~petioners~~ petitioners to be Substantialy true I held the Examing court, and am Satisfied that the young man was not of Sound mind, I think that this is a case calling for the exercise of Executive clemency upon Just and true grounds

Very Respectfully yours &c
Jas. J. Hudnall P J P C C

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