8.
That your humble petitioner is very repentant of his action, and fully appreciates the disgrace he has brought to himself and his family, and the grief that has been caused to the family of the deceased. He realises fully his error in associating with and allowing himself to be influenced by persons of a criminal disposition.
Therefore he is appealing to Your Excellency the Governor to pardon him for his act and to remit his present sentence of hanging and substitute one of imprisonment so that he can repent and atone for all his wrongdoing.
That your humble petitioner promises to remember this for ever and thence forward to lead a useful, industrious life and be of benefit to the community.
and your Petitioner as on duty bound will ever pray, 皇請人將感恩不盡
&c.
态
文健
Prisoner's Signature.
犯人簽署
&c.