O Say Can You See

1 Int. Do you know the Defendants. how long have you known them. & in what degree of intimacy.

2 Do you know the above named petitioners. Henry Frank Sarah & her child Lucy & how long. have you known any other negroes of the same name in the family of either of the Defendants, or of any such belonging to, or claimed by the Defendants or either of them as slaves. or any such of the same name, in whom the said Defendants or either of them claimed any right or interest.

x Interrogatories

1. If you say that you have heard or know that the defendants or any of them claim any both to the right to or interest in these negroes state how you know and who you have heard so claim right or interest and what right or interest was so claimed, and in which of the said negroes [illegible] right or interest was claimed.

2. If you state the said negroes to have or any of them belonged to or were claimed by the defendants or either of them state how you know they belonged to them or were claimed by them. and what the claim set up to them was. and all you know on that matter.

We agree that the above shall be read in evidence saving all exceptions to the admissibility of the same or any part thereof

John J Dermott atty for Petrs Jos. H. Bradley atty for Deft

10th April 1839

For the Plaintiffs

I answer the 1st Int. I know the defendants. I first knew them in 1819. My intimacy with them began sometime in 1828. I answer the 2nd Int. I know Henry, Frank, & Sarah. Henry & Sarah I cannot tell exactly how long but certainly in 1828. Frank I first saw in Dr Laurie's family between Novemr 1828 & April 1829. The child Lucy I never saw. I have never known any other negroes of the same name in the family of either of the defendants or any such belonging to, or claimed by the defendants or either of them as slaves. or any such of the same name, in whom the said defendants or either of them claimed any right or interest.

For the defendants

I answer the 1st Int. I have heard that Mrs Laurie had only a life interest in these negroes, but how I heard it I cannot now recollect. Dr Hall I think has told me that they belong to him at his mothers death. Dr. Laurie's interest in them I have always heard was derived from his wife.

I answer the 2d Int. I have always heard that the negroes Henry, Frank & Sarah were slaves for life.

Sworn to in open Court this 10th Apl 1839

Test Wm Brent Clk

We agree that the above shall be read in evidence saving all exceptions to the admissibility of the same on any part thereof

John J Dermott atty for Petitioners
Jos. H. Bradley atty for defts

10th April 1839