Discourse, 26 May 1844, as Compiled by Leo Hawkins
Source Note
JS, Discourse, , Hancock Co., IL, 26 May 1844; handwriting of with insertions by and Jonathan Grimshaw; dockets in handwriting of Robert L. Campbell and Jonathan Grimshaw; nine pages; JS Collection, CHL.
made made one out in due form, and as I sat down in a bustle the same as I do when one of the Clerks bring a deed for me to sign— read it. I said I can’t swear to that affidavit— I don’t believe it, tear up that paper. agreed to come before and make it up. I did not swear to it. After a while and others came in— they called me up to testify. I told it all, the same as I do here. rose up— <and asked> “do you believe now that I am the man who stabbed .” I replied [“]No sir, I do not now, nor ever did; the magistrate says I did not swear to it.” He considered, and made a public declaration that he was satisfied with me. went before the Grand Jury and swore <that> I did not swear to it: when goes and swears that I swore to it, and that he was in the room— when he was not in, wanted me to stay and have a conversation, asked for the writ and affidavit. He handed them to who read them, and then threw them into the fire. I said you ought not to have burned it, it was my paper. goes to the Grand Jury and swears he did not burn only one <but I say he burnt both>. He [p. [4]]