4

Oasis April 18th 1853

Col Ballard
Dear Sir
I have heard since
my return that you had been informed
that I should have said that I would
go through your place by force of arms
if I could not be permitted to do so
peaceably - and I write to you to descain
every having used such language

When I conversed with Mr Shaw upon
the subject of the road in presence of
Mr Richardson - "I stated that Shot gun
law had been the only law of the swamp
and so far as my influence extended it
should be put down and the civil
code substituted in its stead? I made
the remark so that it could be understood
that I countenanced nothing of the
kind
Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
Mark Valentine