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mission by the committee & others and said it would be more than half a million of dollars benefit to the government. It is contemplated that the expedition will consist of one ship of 600 tones now building in New York for the purpose and two smaller vessels of about of about 200 tons each. Alexander Pinkham formerly of this place, will go out second in command as seaman.

27.8 The Referees & Lawyers in the case between Gardner Swift & Aaron Mitchell being all here opened the Court at the town house & proceded to examine witnesses, the number of whom that were legally warned was 215.

30 Wm Sulivan for Aaron made his plea which took him 3 1/2 hours. At 2 o'clock the same day Daniel Webster for G & S began his plea which continued until 6 o'clock. The town was very full both male and female. Webster's plea was considered to exceed any speech that was ever before made in that house. It is expected the referees will report next at S. P court at Barnstable. Conjecture alone is the only ground we can take to judge of the decision of the referees, but it is agreed by all that it is a bad case & disgraceful to the island & likely to hurt the credit of the place.

31st The Court finished this evening. A large number daily attended the Court