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is now with me and all the rest except Lucius.  These facts I can sustain by the affidavit of persons both black and white.  In fact all of both colors who know us regarded us as man and wife. I will only add farther that had I been allowed, I should have lived with her until her death.  Now to the reports  First then "Mrs L is a clever woman, This does not invalidate the fact of my being his is Lucius' father yet it seemed to been had a bearing That I never had acclaimed Lucius's mother for a wife.  This I have in part answered and can substantiate what I have said by witness as above stated of both colors and even if I did not it does not disprove me his father.   The next that I am now living with a wife that I had before Lucius was born and have lived with her continuous until now.  This statement is so palpably false I scarcely know where to begin any reply.  But will confine myself to now existing facts that can be substantiated. Please to note the points as I shall state them briefly and judge for yourself.  First they acknowledged Lucius 15 yrs old, I have with me all of his bros and sisters now living two of whom are younger the youngest as above stated about 9 yrs.  All the children of my present wife are now alive.  The oldest not quite seven yrs yet I had been married to her 16 yrs continuously but again my present wife is about 23 yrs old, deduct 16 yrs and you have SEVEN nice age to marry