I have recieved several respectable applications for the pardon of Jacob Ray now confined in the jail of this place under a conviction for forging bank notes. as the hope of his reformation would be among the weighty inducements to pardon, I wish to learn how far his former habits & course of life might justify such a hope. it is understood that he was born & raised in Lunenburg county Virginia, lived some years in Rutherford county N. Carolina and in Wilkes county in Georgia, about 30. miles from you. I therefore ask the favor of you to obtain for me the best information which may be within the reach of your enquiries as to his former character & conduct, and to be so good as to communicate the result. the prisoner remaining in jail in the mean time will be a motive for as early attention to this request as will suit your convenience. Accept my salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect.