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make some general preliminary observations in regard to the whole matter and then to take up the specific charges brought against Mr. Smith. I found that the petition was signed at the store of one Wm. N. Trader, that a large number of the names represented men who were unable to write and who authorized the use of their names on his representation of the contents of the petition; that he attempted in writing these different names as is evident from an inspection of them, to make them appear as though signed by those to whom they belonged, and that Michael Dixon whose name is used did not authorize the use of it and had no knowledge of the existence of the petition.  I learned furthermore that not one of the signers knew or pretended to know anything personally of the truth of the statement made in the petition and that they signed it - those who did - because of general rumor, and because they were asked to, as well as on account of a private letter written by Mr. Smith, which I enclose both as ample refutation of the charge against him based on it and as indicating his interest in the affairs of his counties.

I give some extract from statements of signers of the petition, verbatim as I took them down- 

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-10 12:59:03