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children mainly depend for daily bread - hence it is
a strong presumption, negative proof rests upon the
case; that he must have been furnished with money
by another, for the conveying away of these slaves.

Now be it further known; that on the day
preceding the abduction of s'd negroes: Noah Walker
& James Nelms were together the greater part of the
day at a certain Mr. Mahaffy's These facts we
submit, not for the purpose of thwarting public justice
but because in hope it is not yet too late, to set right
what we your petitioners; deem wrong - the pronouncing
of this man principle & not accessary [sic]; in this repreh
=ensible offence. The trial came on a short time
after the offence; thereby preventing the assistance of this
light which has since sprung up.

We are fully apprized of the facility
with which petitions can be gotten up; for the prev
=ention of the action of public justice; Nevertheless we
hope that this, with numerous others; ere this before
you; wil enable you not only to answer our
prayers in compleat [sic] justifycation [sic] of yourself;
but also in mercy. For which, we your petitioners
will feel ourselves bound, in bonds of lasting
gratitude.