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your wife has abused her, and I hold you responsible for the conduct of your family and therefore fine you two hundred dollars. I asked the privilege of disproving the charge, he said no Sir, not a word I then asked [[strikethrough]] the privilege [[/strikethrough]] permission to ask the girl a question, this privilege he also denied in a very abrupt and insulting manner, Capt Horten peremptorily refused to give me any hearing in the matter, but told me I must pay the money or go to Jail. I told him I did not have the money, but I would try and borrow it, he sent a Soldier with his gun to guard me over Town, I borrowed the money and paid him Two hundred dollars.

This negro girl I had raised and since she was free lived about the town of Dallas, I heard several times that she was suffering for the necessaries of life and was sick, I finally through sympathy alone sent for her and her two children.  She came to my house sick I told her I had no use for her and would not keep her, but I would keep her and doctor her until she was able to make a living for herself.  This I did, and when she was well I send her back to Dallas.  I never abused her myself nor did any one of my family altho she was very impudent and troublesom. I did not owe her anything nor did she claim that I did.  The soldiers told myself and Mr Samuel Murphy that they were using me kindly because I was sick and appeared to be so nice a man altho their instructions were quite different.

This is a brief statement of fact.  I will State further that I stand ready to corroberate all this, by testimony that is indubitable.  The man that I name as Capt Horton, Signed his name W.H. Horten.