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had asked him to do what he did & why let me ask should I assume contempt toward an officer who had complied with all I asked him to do. I was a Judge years since. since I have lately filled the same office, then as now. have I used a word or made a gesture toward Lawyer Litigant or Witness that was not strictly courteous. It is a principle of action with me in private as well as public life I need not say so to you who know me so well Jno S Jones is no Officer of my Court. I did not hear any remark made by him or anything said about a "crown lawyer" had any attempt been made from any quarter reflecting on Genl Griffin or calculated to bring him into contempt in Court for doing a humane act at my suggestion I would have promptly rebuked it in a fitting manner.

It is perhaps the misfortune of every commanding officer charged with high responsibilities as Genl Griffin is to be surrounded by those unscrupulous of means used to benefit themselves, or injure others. It is an [[blank]] of his situation & whatever may be his purity of motive

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