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afford them an excuse for doing him an injury.
The case was an aggravated one, and I was surprised at the small amount of the fines assessed by the Jury and the short period of imprisonment to which they were sentenced, [[illegible]] Baylor was only imprisoned for thirty days & John Thornton for fifteen days. They served out their terms of imprisonment, In the case of a white person proved guilty of such conduct I am sure, if he possessed property, he would have paid heavily, for I have not known of such treatment to any person on the public highway ever to have occurred in this community before. If the fines should not be paid within a reasonable time, I will take steps necessary to enforce the payment.
I have written this statement hurriedly, but believe that I have truly shewn the nature of the case, and hope that you will find no cause for interfering with the proceedings of our court in the trial of it. 
Very respectfully &c.
M. B. Seawell

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-12-28 16:40:08