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M. Hanks
possession of said negroes, at any other time, or in any
other manner, than as above stated. I do not know for what
purpose the said delivery was made, further than what is
shown from what I have above stated, except that just
as the company were about to leave the house, defendant said,
in their presence, as well as I can recollect, "I wish it to be
distinctly understood, between Mr. Cunningham and my-
self, that he, or any of his friends, may, hereafter, redeem in
part on all of the negroes, provided it be done for Mr. Cun-
ningham's benefit, but not for the benefit of any one else."

V To the fifth Intg. he says-

Ans. I know nothing, of my own knowledge, of any claim
to said negroes, besides complainant's claim, except that
of defendant, as stated in my answer to the fourth Interroga-
tory:

VI. To the sixth Intg. he says: -

Ans. I do not think I could give a first estimate of
what would be a fair and reasonable hire for said negroes
for the two years named. The usual time for hiring negroes
in Pickens County, is about the first of January. - The term
of hired slaves usually ends on the 25th of December. The
said term ends at this time, for the reason, as I think
that it is the natural season for closing the agricultural
labors of one year, and commencing them for the
next; and because it is about the beginning of a new
year.

VII To the seventh Intg. he says:
Ans. The defendant showed me the two notes men-
tioned in this Interrogatory, the amounts therin stated

560