Petition from A. C. Steed to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; March 11, 1875

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Petition from A. C. Steed to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; March 11, 1875

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Chandler, G. C.Hancock, Unknown Henderson, Unknown Osborne, I. N.Pons, Peter A.Steede, A. C.

Events

Convict Labor Convict Labor. Mississippi Crime Crime--Retailing without a license Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Clemency Criminal Procedure--Pardon Criminal Procedure--Sentencing Criminal Procedure--Writ of Fieri Facias Legislation Legislation. Mississippi

Organizations

Courts and Judicial Systems Courts and Judicial Systems--Circuit Courts Jails Mississippi--Executive Department Mississippi--High Court of Errors and Appeals Political Parties Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

Judges Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Lawyers Prison Guard Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Hancock County. Bay Saint Louis Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Jackson County. Americus

Social Identifiers

Fugitives from Justice Impoverished People

Page 1

Americus Miss. March 11^th 1875

General,

By a judgment of the Circuit Court of Jackson County rendered in July A. D. 1872, Peter A. Pons, then a citizen of this County, was condemned to pay a fine of Four hundred dollars and all costs of prosecution, for violating the Liquor Law. Pons by the ad-vice of his lawyer appealed to the Supreme Court, and I became his surety on his said appeal bond, and I went on his bond because I knew the prosecution against him was Political persecution, he, as well as myself, being Republicans.

The Supreme Court has affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Jackson County, and the Sheriff of said County has a writ of fieri facias a-gainst me for $475, as surety on the

Page 2

appeal bond. I therefore respectfully ask your Excellency to interpose your pardon in my behalf, for the fol-lowing reasons viz;

1^st Said Pons has gone out of the jurisdiction of our Sheriff, his place of residence is unknown to me.

2^nd. When I became surety on the bond I was well able to pay it, now owing to the great depression in business I could not pay it without the sacrifice of four times the sum in property, leaving me almost a pauper.

3^rd By compelling me to pay the a-mount now, when every one has forgot-ten the prosecution, the ends of Justice will not be accomplished, and only the petty vengeance of the political enemies who planned the prosecution will be gratified.

As to my political and social status I refer your to Excellency to Judge Chandler, Judge Henderson, Judge Hancock, and to Hon I. N. Os-borne who is I believe now in your office.

Nothing but the responsibility of a large family, added to the losses consequent upon the general business de-pression, could induce me to ask your Excellency to relieve me from this bond.

It is now more than three years since the misdemeanor was committed if committed at all.

Very Respectfully

A. C. Steede

General A. Ames
Governor of Mississippi

Jackson
Mississippi

Page 3

Bay St Louis, April 14th 1875

I knew Peter A Pons as a constant violator of the liquor laws. I never knew him as a Repub-lican—never inquired into his politics. Col. Steede is a worthy gentleman, and I have assured him that if he would re-capture Pons and lodge him in the Jackson county jail, so that the Board of Su-pevisors could force him to work out his fine, I would do all in my power to have the fine remitted as to him. I beg your Excellency's pardon for referring to the politics of Pons—(if he has any) I only did so because Col. S. did so in his communication. I very well understand that you will decide such application for Executive clemency on its merits, and at the same ^time^ protect the persecuted from whatever cause.

Very Respectfully,

G. C. Chandler

[fold] C. Steede
Americus
Jackson Co.
Miss.

Asks relief and Executive Clemency

Answer—

It has been suggested that Pons be delivered to the county jailor there to be held till he works out his fine—

Upon his delivery and with such an understanding I will be glad to remit the fine

Page 4

Hon I. N. Osborne,
Jackson, Miss.

Dear Sir,

Do me the favor to repre-sent my case favorably to the Gov-ernor, If I am made to pay this bond now, it will only gratify the petty malice of my political ene-mies who have never forgiven me for being a Republican,

Pons has gone to — I do not know where, and could not pay if he were here, in these times.

Yours truly

A. C. Steede

Page 5

Hon I. N. Osborne

Page 6

A. C. Steed.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Jackson County.

From A. C. Steed
Address Scranton
Dated March 11"/75.
Received " "
Answered [gap]

SUBJECT:

Asks to be re-leased from the forfeiture taken against him as a bondsmen of one Pons who had violated the liquor law, Judge Chandler thinks not.

ADELBERT AMES,
Governor.

I. N. OSBORN
Private Secretary.

[note] 4/20/75. [/note]