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d

That same day-the 18"-the hearing came off, before a single Magistrate, Viz; "John D Saunders" (who in my last month's Report I stated complaint had been made against, by "Clare Kane," on account of his having whipped her Daughter, "Lizzie," aged sixteen) in the "public room" by the "Early House," kept by the aforementioned Hale, the Jailed. Hudson himself was the only witness examined (in the presence of all the others—his comrades) and he testified substantially as per the foregoing; adding, that if he had wished to kill the negro, he could have readily done so, as he was but a few steps off, when he fired at him. The Prisoner in reply to the question whether he had any evidence to bring forward to clear himself, replied that he had not; and he was then allowed to proceed ignorantly, to somewhat criminate himself, by saying, for instance, that they could not prove that he took the horse, &c. He was recommitted, to go before the County Court on March 4th. His Lawyer who came in just after, Hudson had been examined, put some questions to him; but, of course, he could do nothing for his client there, nor then. As may be supposed, the shooting itself met with no action or notice.
The day after the hearing the Prisoners Step Father was busily engaged getting him a change of clothes, &c. On the 19th, he, by my advice, called on Mr T.H. Bernard, presiding Justice of the County, and requested him to issue a warrant to have Hudson arrested and taken before a Magistrate in Roanoke Co., to be properly dealt with on the score of the shooting.—— I herewith respectfully submit an answer addressed to me by him which will be found as a paper marked "D." On the strength of this, I told the freedman to at once proceed to Roanoke Co., and, as he had heard that Hudson would go before Mr Chas Lunsford, J.P.,