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James Cunningham
on these negroes. He then got on his horse and
went to Mr. Ellis's. He requested me to go on with the
negroes, and I did so. When we got there, the ne-
groes were formed in a line along the yard fence;
Mr. Turnipseed then asked my father to give him the
form of a delivery of the negroes. My father
then stepped up to one of the negroes and put his
hand on him, and said to Mr. Turnipseed that
he delivered these negroes to him before these
men. After my father had done that, the white
persons present all stated to go into the house. My
father asked Mr. Turnipseed if he was done with the
negroes, and he said he was. Then my father start-
ed them on back to work. The negroes returned to
my father's plantation; they are there now, and
have been there ever since the said delivery, ex-
cept that in March or April, 1844, my fa-
ther hired out two of said negroes fot the balance
of the year. After the company returned into
Ellis's house, Mr. Turnipseed said, "Gentlemen,
I want it distinctly understood that Mr. Cun-
ningham can redeem these negroes at any
time after this." I heard no more conversation
at that time, and immediately afterwards I went
home. The negroes were at Mr. Ellis's not more
than fifteen minutes, in my opinion. I do not
know that defendant ever had possession of said
negroes in any other way, or at any other time,
than as I have already stated. I know nothing
further than I have stated of the character and
object of said possession.

[The Defendants Attorney objects and excepts
to all of the answer of James Cunningham to

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