Request for Help Translating this U.S. Pardon Letter

[Jackson Hornets]

While doing some genealogy I came across an interesting pardon request letter to President Andrew Johnson dated 1865 on behalf of a 4x great uncle. I can read his name, father's name, and some other words but can't make out the details of the pardon. Any help in transcribing is appreciated. I think it's saying something about a mail contract to get out of Confederate Army conscription?

 

[Bur Oak]

Huntsville Alabama
Octbr 22 1865
Gov L E Parsons
Montgomery, Ala
The petitioner William
B. Martin of Jackson County
Ala.was opposed to secession
+him +his father Daniel M
Martin done as much as any
two men in their county to
prevent the present state affairs.
William B Martin took the
Confederate Mail Contract to
keep out of the army and
I am confident that as soon
as President Johnson Knows
to what family Martin belongs
that he will unhesitatingly pardon
him as an act of justice to the
petitioner +his father Daniel
M Martin. The petitioner can be
relied on for a loyal citizen, for he
is the son of a "(??? ??)" Democrat
of the old Jackson school. You
will please recommend this petition
for pardon. (?) Respfly Joseph C Bradley

 

[Nathan Stuart]

"(??? ??)"

Great translating effort by Bur Oak above! Maybe missing bit is "sworn pure"

 

[Jackson Hornets]

Huntsville Alabama
Octbr 22 1865
Gov L E Parson
Montgomery, Ala
The petitioner William
B. Martin of Jackson County
Ala.was opposed to secession
+him +his father Daniel M
Martin done as much as any
two men in their county to
prevent the present state affairs.
William B Martin took the
Confederate Mail Contract to
keep out of the army and
I am confident that as soon
as President Johnson knows
to what family Martin belongs
that he will unhesitatingly pardon
him as an act of justice to the
petitioner +his father Daniel
M Martin. The petitioner can be
relied on for a loyal citizen, for he
is the son of a "(??? ??)" Democrat
of the old Jackson school. You
will please recommend this petition
for pardon. (?) Respfly Joseph C Bradley

Well-done. Thank you. Most interesting playing the loyal anti-secession bit when his brother was killed at Parker's Crossroads with Cpt. Morton's Battery and his brother-in-law was also in (McLemore's) 4th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. His father owned 12 slaves but was friends with Sherman before the war and exchanged letters with him in 1864 that I posted way back on this site. I'm sure that helped.

Here's another one I think stating much of the same:

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Great translating effort by Bur Oak above! Maybe missing bit is "sworn pure"

Will just say that the phrase I heard my parents use when I was growing up was "Simon pure," as in "That is the Simon pure truth." I always thought that was a reference to some biblical Simon who was honest.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I have to note that having close family members who felt differently about the war was not at all uncommon. It certainly happened in my family that brothers and cousins could vary a lot in their support of one side or the other. The mandatory Confederate Conscription Act of 1862 didn't leave any choice in the matter though, for those who had not felt inclined to volunteer for whatever reason in 1861.

Your uncle certainly doesn't sound like he minds at all being back under the "Old Flag" again. And the fact that the first letter points out that Johnson knows the family and should understand the situation is very telling IMO.

 

[Bur Oak]

Will just say that the phrase I heard my parents use when I was growing up was "Simon pure," as in "That is the Simon pure truth." I always thought that was a reference to some biblical Simon who was honest.

That looks like it! I never heard that expression before. I think you nailed it.

 

[Bur Oak]

And the fact that the first letter points out that Johnson knows the family and should understand the situation is very telling IMO.

The first posted letter says. "I am confident that as soon as President Johnson knows to what family Martin belongs...."
The second posted letter seems to attempt to acquaint President Johnson with the family, suggesting that he didn't already know them.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Will just say that the phrase I heard my parents use when I was growing up was "Simon pure," as in "That is the Simon pure truth." I always thought that was a reference to some biblical Simon who was honest.

Although have not heard that expression before, that phrase seems to be a perfect fit. (I note that the letter writer does not mark a dot above all of the 'i' characters shown in the document).

 

[Bur Oak]

Although have not heard that expression before, that phrase seems to be a perfect fit. (I note that the letter writer does not mark a dot above all of the 'i' characters shown in the document).

Agreed. It also looks like the "S" and "P" are capitalized, further supporting Reconstructed Rebel's suggestion. Add to that, the letter writer put the expression in quotes. I'm convinced RR is % correct.