Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Petition from Ninian Hamilton concerning his pardon
Hamilton, Ninian
October 23, 1771
Volume 09, Page 38

-------------------- page 38 --------------------
[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]

To his Excellency Josiah Martin Esquire his Majestys Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of North Carolina

The humble petition of Niny Hambleton one of the unfortunate persons Who are outlawed for Being Active in the late Riots and Insurrections Which happened in this province

Humbly Sheweth

That his Ignorance of the Nature of Government the Springs Causing Regularity and good order among men and Being unacquainted With the Blessings he Enjoyed under a British Constitution was the Reason he Joyned With other Misguided men in the late Insurrection or Riot, your petitioner being Now Sensible and With Sincerrity truly penitent for his Errors Committed and the Sin he was guilty of in Being Instrumentall in putting a stop to the peace Tranquility and good order of government thus Humbly begs Leave to offer to your Excellency Sum few Reasons flattering My hopes that they Will Excite your pitty and Compassion towards your Misguided and Deluded petitioner

Your petitioner Acknowledges he was one of those men Who Called them Selves Regulators, that amongst them he assembled at Hillsborough When the Court of Justice was Interrupted and the officers Belonging to it abused Which occasioned your petitioner outlawry tho Not Instrumentall in the acts of voylance offered to Either the persons or properties of Men But Endeavord to persuade others from Committing Such unwarrantable actions and the better to ascertain the saime begs your Excellencys pardon; your petitioner Relying Not on his own Mearits But on your Excellencys Lenity Compashon and Mercies towards your unfortunate Supplicant Humbly persumes to throw his Case at your feet imploring the Royal pardon for a life that hereafter Shall Be imployed in Loyalty to his Sovereigns Submishun to government obedience to its Laws and officers promoting peace and at all times While Life Laste for your Excellencys Temporall and Etarnall Wealfare actuated By principles of gratitude With unfeigned Zeale.


October 23d 1771
NINY HAMBLETON