Petition, 12 April 1844 [State of Illinois v. Colton on Habeas Corpus]

aforesaid. And your Petitioner was required to give Bail in the Sum of Two Hundred Dollars for his appearance at the next Term of the Circuit Court— <​which Petition refused & a Warrant of Committmet was issued a copy of which is herunto attached​> Your Petitioner further avers that the Proceedings against him were <​are​> Illegal, that the Said who tried him Evinced a Spirit of determination to try him right or wrong all of which matters. & on account of the Said Proceeding Your Petitioner feels himself agreeved & injured and respectfully request your Honorable Body to investigate the Same. Your Petitioner further avers that he verily believes that the proceeding against him have been instituted through malice private pique & corruption & a desire to injure his reputation & not for the purpose of promoting the Ends of Justice— Your Petitioner further represents that he is as innocent as the angels of Heaven of the charge that is alleged against him, and that he knows assuredly that by a Legal impartial & Just Examination he will be honorably acquitted— He therefore respectfully asks your Honorable Body to grant him the Benefit of the Writ of that the causes of his detention & Captior as well as all matters connected with the transaction may be thoroughly investigated— And Your Petitioner as in duty bound will Ever pray