Letter from James D. Wood to Mississippi Governor Benjamin G. Humphreys; September 25, 1866

[Seal]

Port Gibson Miss 25 Sep 1866

Gov R. G. Humphrey Jackson Miss Dr Sir Annexed I hand you the proceeding & findings of the Claiborne County Arrest Agst Levi Robinson Freedman. My object in forwarding it to you is to ask you to remit the fine. It is now late in the season & planters are generally unwilling to hire negroes & but few if any have the money to spare to advance for labor to be performed. His offense was Assault & Battery & Committed under aggravated Circumstances which I do not _think were presented to the Court. He was prior _to & during the war a good & faithful Servant - he had, during the war frequent opportunities & going to the Enemy but did not. He was captured, in '64 & was only taken from the plantation by force - he returned as soon as he could. Were I planting or could I use him I would not ask for a Mitigation of Sentence. I think his imprisonment has been a sufficient punishment. I hope Governor, you will in consideration of these facts Extend to him the Mercy of the Law. Should you act in the matter please let me hear from you as Early as possible. He was formerly my property & as an Evidence of his general good behaviour & Character several of his acquaintances on last Saturday offered to assist him in paying the Expenses of the Suit which is about Sixty Dollars

I am Governor Very Respy Yr obt svt & c

Jas. D. Wood

Clairborne County Court August Term 1866 Tuesday 2d day Ag 21_st

The State of Mississippi } 50$ [?] assault } 30 dys Levi Robertson }

This day comes the attorney for the state in this court in part of the state and comes also the defendant in custody of the sheriff. And the said defendant being arraigned pleads not guilty to the charge in the information and for trial puts himself upon the court ny, waiving a Jury, and the Court having heard the testimony of Witnesses both for the State and the defendant and having considered the crime do adjudge the said defendant guilty as charged - and it is ordered by the Court that he be fined in the sum of Fifty Dollars to be paid into the County treasury, and that he be returned to the custody of the sheriff of this County to be conveyed by him to the County jail of the county and to be confined therein for the time and span of thirty days from this day and that he also pay the cost of this prosecution to be taxed and that he do stand committed until fine & costs are paid after the expiration of his sentence of thirty days confinement and that [copies?] [no?] [?] [?] for said fine and costs.

Sept 1866 F

Port Gibson, Miss. Sept. 25, 1866

Pardon not granted

Woods. Ja_s D.

Letter of Arguing remission of fine imposed by Clai-borne County Court on Levi Robinson, Freedman, as sentence of said court for assault and Battery of which the said Levi Robinson has been adjudged guilty