Petiton from W. J. Earnest to Governor A. B. Moore; November 22, 1859

Item

Identifier

Q134041_Q134042

Title

Petiton from W. J. Earnest to Governor A. B. Moore; November 22, 1859

Rights

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Type

text

Creator

Earnest, W. J.

Date

1859 November 22

Description

From the Alabama Department of Archives and History Governor A. B. Moore Collection. A petiton from W. J. Earnest and citzens of Blount County to Governor Andew B. Moore requesting the pardon of Elijah R. Murphree. Moore's decision not to pardon Murphree is attached to the petition.

Format

Petiton

Language

English

Place

Blount County (Ala.); Madison County (Ala.)

Publisher

Alabama Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)

Contributor

Emma Jackson Pepperman

Relation

Q134043-Q134044; Q134045; Q134053-Q134054; Q134077-Q134078

transcription

Elyton Nov 22 <sup>nd<sup> 1859

To His Exellency [[Moore, Andrew B. (Andrew Barry), 1807-1873|A. B. Moore]]

Dear Sir

At the fall term of the [[Circuit courts|Circuit Court]] of [[Blount County (Ala.)|Blount]] 1859 [[Murphree, Elijah R.|E R Murphee]] plead guilty of the charge of Negro Stealing under the following circumstances viz There was a man of doubtful character if not an accomplis who would swear against his [[Sons|sons]] strong circumstances; and under that fear, & sons hope being held out, he made some confession which firced public sentiment against him. He had been confined in the [[Jails|jail]] of [[Madison County (Ala.)|Madison County]] for one or two years untill worn out & was willing to make any exchange for the jail. He could get a fair [[Trial|trial]] or at hash the wihropes who were neccessary for his defence could not he got to court as they had left the [[Alabama|State]]. If Murphree was guilty as all he was the dufe of a band of scoundrels. He was now exceeding 25 or 30 years ^old^ with our education. He ^is^ an unfortunate branch of a large & respectable family in Blount The testimony was not introduced for the reason that he plead guilty; hense I have to state my impressions. & These are stated with caution, I know ^no ^ family who came & and whose circumstanced do appeal stranger for

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clemency & the return of Mr. Murphree to his helpless family. I most heartily join [[Judges|Judge Giliesir?]] & the putitioners in asking the excersise of execution pardon

[[Earnest, W.J.|W. J. Earnest]]

I know nothing of the facts or circomstances comited with the commission of the offense. Murphree plead guilty. The facts stated by [[Colonel|Col.]] Earnest are no doubt true. I can make no recommendations=mendation in his behalf, because I have no evidence on which to pundicate a recommendation. An examination of the petitions & recommendations of other wise doubles enable you to [unclear] of the case properly. The defn. [defendant] having pleas guilty there has <u>no<u> <u>jury<u> whose recommendation would be had in his behalf.

Elyton Nov. 22? 1859.

[unclear signiture]

Subject

Moore, Andrew B. (Andrew Barry), 1807-1873.; Petitions; Crime--Alabama--History; Blount County (Ala.).