Alvin Duvall and James F. Robinson to Beriah Magoffin

KYR-0001-020-1858.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-020-1858

Document Genre

Correspondence

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

MG23-258 to MG23-259

Place of Creation

Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

15 April 1862

Dates Mentioned

1862-04-15

1854-03

Alvin Duvall and James F. Robinson to Beriah Magoffin, 15 April 1862, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862, MG23-258 to MG23-259, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-020-1858, (accessed April 19, 2025).

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Georgetown Ky, Apl 15. 1862
Govr Magoffin
Dear Sir

At the March Term 1854 of the Scott Circuit Court, Jordan, a slave, then belonging to Dr R M Ewing was tried upon an indictment for the murder of another slave, and was found guilty of manslaughter. The punishment was commuted by Gov. Powell, to imprisonment for life in the penitentiary, where the slave has been ever since, ~~[...] [...] [...]~~

After such a lapse of time it could not be expected that either of the undersigned, (one of whom was the presiding Judge, and the other, counsel of the prisoner) would be able to state with accuracy or in detail, the facts of the case as proved on the trial. We do remember, however, the leading features of the case, and can now state, that although accending to strict law, the proof was perhaps sufficient to make out a case of manslaughter, yet, if the prisoner had been a free white citizen of respectable standing, it would have been a fair case offor acquittal. The persons composing
the jury are among our most respectable citizens, and although they felt constained to render the verdict they did, they were actively instrumental in procuring the commutation of the punishment

In view of the nature of the case, of of the long confinement of Jordan, and of the character he has sustained both before and since his conviction, we do not hesitate to request that your Execllency would exercise in his favor the power of pardon as now provided by law.

Very respectfully &c
A. Duvall
J F Robinson

Slave of D^r Ewing of Scott Co --
(Jordan) --

Issue pardon under recent act of Legislature in the two cases refered to
B. M

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