Дванадцять років рабства

           Burchandhiswitnessesappearedincourt,andH.B.Northupappearedascounselforthecoloredman,statinghewasreadytoproceedascounselonthepartofthedefendant,andaskingnodelaywhatever. Burch,afterconsultingprivatelyashorttimewithShekels,statedtothemagistratethathewishedhimtodismissthecomplaint,ashewouldnotproceedfartherwithit. Defendant’scounselstatedtothemagistratethatifthecomplaintwaswithdrawn,itmustbewithouttherequestorconsentofthedefendant. Burchthenaskedthemagistratetolethimhavethecomplaintandthewarrant,andhetookthem. Thecounselforthedefendantobjectedtohisreceivingthem,andinsistedtheyshouldremainaspartoftherecordsofthecourt,andthatthecourtshouldendorsetheproceedingswhichhadbeenhadundertheprocess. Burchdeliveredthemup,andthecourtrenderedajudgmentofdiscontinuancebytherequestoftheprosecutor,andfileditinhisoffice." 

           *** 

           Theremaybethosewhowillaffecttobelievethestatementoftheslave-trader—those,inwhosemindshisallegationswillweighheavierthanmine.