The State of To any Judge, Justice of the Peace or other Judicial officer in the state of , Greeting, you are Know ye that we Reposing and placing special trust and confidence in your skill and diligence do hereby command you, that You Cause to come before you at such time and place as may be appointed such witnesses as may be required by the Defendants and examine them as well in Behalf of the said Defendants as of the State of , Touching their knowledge of the matters depending wherein the State of is Plaintiff and , & Maurice [Morris] Phelps are defendants, on an indictment for in the Circuit Court for said County of in the State of Missouri, which you cause to be written down in your Presence, also the age of the defendants as near as may Be, and transmit the same together with this writ sealed up to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Witness Clerk of said Court at office in Columbia on this <​26th​> day of <​September 1839​>