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about at this time Mr Knight was agent on the Place went out to whar the boys was with Mr Howard & he read the orders to the neagros and asked them if they would go back  They all told him they would not & most of them tatold him they would dy firs He taold them that he would take them back if he had to do it with a bal and chain swearing to them  I returned home in the evening and found Mr Howard had [[?]] and left tilling the boys he would return with the Sheriff the next day and force them off the land All came to me & told me they would lay in Jale the year round before they would hire with him. I then went out to Wootens Station this morning to see Mr Howard & saw him for the firs time he shode me the orders he had but my name wasant mentioned in them & he wanted me to deliver him the hands witch I refused to do as I considered I had now wright to force the neagros to return as I have a writing contract with them

[[left margin]] Rcd oac/2-2-66
Feby 5. 1866 SP. Saller [[/left margin]]