Petition to Pardon Isaac Glenn

1. Samuel A. Merritt

Sacramento City

24th June 1859

To His Excellency the Governor

Dear Sir,

Numerous petitions will be presented to your Excellency for the pardon of Isaac C. Glenn, who was convicted in San Joaquin County for the crime of Manslaughter and sentenced to the State Prison for two & one half years. I am intimately acquainted with most of the signers of the petition from Tulare & Fresno Counties and know that they represent to a great extent the wealth, intelligence and respectability of the people of those counties. I also know the connections and relatives of the person for whom a pardon is sought and know them to be true, honest and respectable and who would not sign a petition except it contained the facts. I am also satisfied from personal knowledge that the public interest would not suffer by the pardon of Isaac C. Glenn.

Respectfully,

Samuel A. Merritt

2. C. Campbell, District Attorney, Stockton

Stockton June 25th, 1859

His Excellency J.B. Weller

Dear Sir

In the matter of the application of Isaac C. Glenn to your Excellency for pardon, who was sentenced for two and a half years to the State Prison on a charge of manslaughter (indicted for murder, found guilty of manslaughter). Believing that you have had a full statement of the case I will only say that the justice of the law has been fully vindicated in his conviction; and that I.C. Glenn the convict was a young man prior to this difficulty who stood well and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and that only a few weeks before he committed the homicide for which he was convicted he married to a fine young lady; a daughter of one of our most respectable farmers, and since his imprisonment she has born him a child, she together with her large connection in this county one greatly afflicted on account of his misfortunes; and further I have no doubt but you are already informed that the homicide grew out of one of the many squatter difficulties which have been in this county ...

*The balance of letter unfortunately was not received from California State Archives, but per my father's research, was reportedly written by C. Campbell, District Attorney, Stockton. Per his transcription, the letter continues as follows:

... and that is a subject which has produced so much excitement in this community that a young man inexperienced would be likely to be led astray by those he had a right to look upon as friends; and from all the circumstances of this case I have always been of the opinion that Glenn was misled by bad advisors, when he went to the place where the affray took place the deceased had possession of Glenn's land or land he claimed he went there demand possession which ended in the homicide ... I was present in court during the whole time of the trial: I then thought the conviction for manslaughter was right from the evidence in the cause and think so yet and further think the justice of the law has been fully vindicated ...

As I.C. Glenn prior to this difficulty was a man of good character, steady labor and very industrious and as he is respectably connected by marriage the husband of a good young wife and the father of a child, ... and his suffering the whole sentence 2-1/2 years will make him no better, and his imprisonment ... will be no profit to the state, and as his pardon would ill to no one, but meet with the approval of all the people here as far as I have heard; I recommend him as a proper subject for Executive clemency".

3. T.T. Bouldin, District Attorney representing the People in the case against Glenn

Stockton July 13th, 1859

Dear Sir

In the April Term 1858 of the Dist. Court in this county, Isaac C. Glenn was tried upon an indictment charging him with murder in killing one F. Brubacker and was convicted of the crime of manslaughter. I am satisfied that the evidence fully warranted the verdict of the jury and the Judgment of the court.

Mr. Glenn was personally unknown to me prior to his examination before the committing Justice. And I know nothing of his antecedents. From the evidence in the case, and the attendant circumstances, and his bearing before and after his trial, I believe that he is not really a bad man. Mr. Glenn is a young man of whom his friends and acquaintances speak well. He had but recently married a worthy young lady of respectable parentage and connections, residing in this county ...

*The balance of this letter was also unfortunately not received from California State Archives, but per my father's research, was reportedly written by T.T. Bouldin, the District Attorney prosecuting Glenn at his trial. In this case, however, his transcription appears not to extend to the entire letter, but nonetheless continued as follows:

... and in the neighborhood where Mr. Glenn, as I learn, lived for some time prior to his marriage.

4. Prison Officers' Statement

We the undersigned Officers & Employees of the State Prison of California certify to the good conduct of I.C. Glenn now confined in this prison since under our supervision

San Quentin Oct. 3, 1859

John F. MCauly

C. M. Kritser

G. M. Cardwell

Jso Simmons

John Davis

G.S. Sheppard

5. Thomas Baker

Visalia June 26th 1859

Hon John B. Weller

Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance my friend John A Patterson of Fresno County. Mr. Patterson will present you a petition for the pardon I.C. Glenn. Glenn has a large circle of respectable relations living in this county who feel deeply interested in the matter. I hope you will consider the matter in as much your Executive Clemency would be a matter of great interest to a larger portion of our citizens.

I am really sorry that you were not nominated for re-election but I assure you that we have acted our part nobly for you in this county.

Your friend truly

Thomas Baker

(Note: Bakersfield CA reportedly gets its name from this individual)

(To no surprise, the signatures of both individuals signatures may also be found on the petition, John A. Patterson, Thomas Baker)

6. A.E. Brown

Stockton June 22 1859

Hon J.B. Weller

Dear Sir

I.C. Glen who is now in State Prison for the crime of Manslaughter for the killing of F. Brubaker was examined before me, from the testimony there is good reason to believe that the killing was justifiable. In my opinion the declarations of such a man as Brubaker, under any circumstances, should have very little weight in such a case.

From my knowledge of Glen I think him a fit subject of Executive Clemency

Glenn has been a very peaceable citizen heretofore and would I have no doubt be so again.

Respectfully yours,

A.E. Brown

(This individual's signature may also be found on the petition)

7. A.C. Baine & W.H. Lyons

Stockton June 22nd 1859

Hon. Jno. B. Weller

Gov. of California

Dear Sir:

A petition is about to be presented to you for the pardon of I.C. Glenn convicted and sent to the Penitentiary, from this County, for killing one Brubaker. I think his case is one proper for Executive Clemency. He is a young man. He has a young wife. The facts of his case were peculiar; and his position such, in relations to the assault, that led to the killing, that I am induced to believe he would not have been convicted if it had not been that there were several other unfortunate killings, by violence about the same time. I however need not go over the facts - they will be presented by others. I simply advice that the proffer of the Petitions for his Pardon, and Restoration to his Family & Society, is one that is proper for you to grant.

I am your obd. servant

A.C. Baine

I agree with Judge Baine in the foregoing letter and write with the friends of Mr. Glenn in asking your Honor to pardon him.

Very Respectfully,

W.H. Lyons

(Lyon's signature may also be found on the petition)