, , Cook Co., IL, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 27 Mar. 1843; handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of ; seven pages; JS Materials, CCLA.
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they can be taken at all:— I do not know what the Laws are in in relation to changing the venue in criminal cases— if the laws will admit of it, it will be best by all means to get the venue changed to a county where the least prejudice & hostility exists against your People.— counsel should attend the Term of the court when the indictment is to be found and see that there is no fraud in packing a Grand jury for that purpose and to ascertain as nearly as possible all the evidence that is Lain before the Grand jury— I not being acquanted with the Laws of , and being so remote from the scene of the action can give you but very poor counsel in the Matter— after the Indictment is found and the time and place is fixed for the trial, and after you have learned the nature of the evidence upon which the prosecution rely to convict, and after you have ascertained whether a commission can be issued to take the depositions of Witnesses in this to be read on the trial write to me again and I will give you all the aid and assistance in my power. untill that [p. 5]